Ministry of Tourism has held discussions with councils of nine atolls in efforts to expand local tourism.
The main purpose of the meetings is to expand local tourism in the islands and facilitate direct benefits of tourism to the residents of the islands, according to the tourism ministry. The tourism ministry commenced trips to the atolls in August this year to assess the tourism situation of the islands and discuss ways to take local tourism to the next level.
During the visits, the officials from the tourism ministry met with island councils, women's development committees, and tourist facilities. As such, the visits include islands in Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Baa Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll, Kaafu Atoll, Vaavu Atoll, Faafu Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll, and Laamu Atoll.
During the meetings, discussions mainly focus on the possibility of local councils developing tourism in the islands with the latest amendments to the decentralisation system, the plans of the councils to expand tourism in the islands and the areas councils require assistance from the tourism ministry.
Moreover, during the trips, photographs of natural, historical, and cultural sites of the islands are taken for publication on islands.mv website.