Q &A: Dr. Mustafa Lutfi, Minister of Tourism for the Maldives (part two)

By Nelson Alcantara
Nelson Alcantara:  There was a report by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives about the treatment of prisoners.  They raised some concerns; what has your government done to address their concerns?
Dr. Mustafa Lutfi:  [after a 22-second pause] We have our own human rights commission, and they visited the jails and they gave recommendations, and the government has implemented those recommendations.  Other people also who have visited these jails, whatever recommendations, whatever concerns they had, the government has straightened those recommendations for those periods.  And the jail situation is now good.

Alcantara: Of international standard?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  International standard, even it is good.  They have medical facilities, medical doctors always.  They have good food, and they can meet their relatives.  In that way the jail situation is . . .

 

Alcantara: Mr. James R. Mancham, the former president of Seychelles, suggested reconciliation, do you see this as an option for your government?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  it all depends on how.  .  .  if it is such a serious thing for the government to have reconciliation, I am sure the government would consider.  But this is not.  The government is bringing changes and there are people who want to have changes more quickly.  There is nothing.  .  If the government has done anything wrong, maybe, perhaps there is need for reconciliation.  But in this case, they [jailed political dissidents] have done something wrong so the government took actions in order to protect the government and the people of the country.  So, I don’t see there is any reason why they should consider reconciliation.  But the government is willing and let people take part in the process of organization.  .  . 

 

Alcantara: Would you say that the outsiders do not really know what is going on?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  I wouldn’t say that they don’t know what’s going on, what I’d say is that they should know better.

 

Alcantara: Know better?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Know better before they actually take action. 

 

Alcantara: Have you been in contact with Mr. Mancham?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  No.

 

Alcantara: What’s new in tourism?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  It is almost 100 percent fully booked, UK market is going up.  We are opening new 11 resorts.

 

Alcantara: When?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  In the next two years. 

 

Alcantara: Are they under construction now?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  No, they are not under construction.  The bidding process is on the way.  The other new thing is, as I told you, we have planned development, planned expansion of tourism.  Next year will be our last year for our second 10- year Master Plan.  Next year, we will be developing, formulating our third 0-year Master Plan. 

 

Alcantara: What is the budget for tourism promotion?

 

Abdualla Mausoom (Maldives Tourism Promotion Board director):  It is almost like US$4 million.

 

Alcantara: That is for global?

 

Mausoom:  Yes, global.

 

Dr. Lutfi:  That is for promotion only, on top mf my head it is a little bit difficult for me to give you the exact figure.

 

Alcantara: Is there such a thing as public-private cooperation?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  The government’s responsibility is to facilitate and regulate and to promote tourism.

 

Alcantara: The private sector, are they funding promotion as well?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Because they have to pay rent for tourism.

 

Alcantara: So, in a way they are paying for it?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Yes, they are paying for it.  They are paying for the development, and because of tourism we were able to provide education, universal primary education, spending on secondary education.  [Takes out a copy of Sixth National Development Plan 2001-2005, republic of Maldives.]

 

Alcantara: Could I have a copy?  Would that be possible?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Yes, you can have it.  This is one of the last copies.  This is a very important document. On education, [Pauses and browses through the book.]  1970,  female-male.  Almost equal.  We are a Muslim country, boys and girls go to school and they are in equal number.

 

Alcantara: You consider yourself to be a modern country?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Yes, we are.  We are, in fact, a modern nation.

 

Alcantara:  I was just in Turkey and was amazed of the kind of dynamics that occur in that country.

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Yes, it’s like that.  Youth and sports.  You can have this one [the book].  This will be a great source of information for you when you write an article about the Maldives and the development.  So when you write something, you have to.  .  It is the responsibility of the writer not to be carried away with one thing.

 

Alcantara: Sure.

 

Dr. Lutfi:  You have to have a balanced.  You have a responsibility to the public to understand the clear picture. 

 

Alcantara: The challenge has been, for me, it’s difficult to gain access to your perspective.  Ideally, I want to know what you have to say.

 

Dr. Lutfi:  You can come to the Maldives.  I invite you.

 

Alcantara: I haven’t been.  I would definitely consider.

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Well, you have my card.  You can write about the situation in Maldives.  I can give you accommodation, even your flights.

 

Alcantara: Sure, I am willing to accept your invitation.  Thank you.  I will let you know when I can come.  On with my next question, why should one consider a trip to the Maldives?  What do you have to offer?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  It is a very interesting country.  We have peace and security, number one.  When you are in a resort, you do not have to worry about anything.  You can take your children and you can leave your children on the island.  No harm will be done.  There’s no need even for you to lock your doors when you leave your room.  So secure, so peaceful, that’s just one.  And the other thing is, it is very beautiful, it is very nice.  We have crystal clear water and white beaches.  The other thing is, people are lovely, they smile.  They do not demand like some other places, they are ready to serve you, they are ready to help you.  They do not have a kind of aggressive, they do not demand much from you.  That is because we are a small nation, we are a close-knit society.  Over the years, we have developed that characteristics, to be very friendly, very cooperative, and very peaceful.  And, we have the most wonderful reefs in the world.  Those who enjoy diving, Maldives is the best place. 

 

Alcantara: I have been told that majority of hospitality workers are not even Maldivians, can you confirm this?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  No, no. Our ratio is now 50:50; we do not employ more than 50 expatriates.  We are planning to increase local ratio to 60.

 

Alcantara: Where do the expats come from?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  Expats mainly come from neighboring countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.

 

Alcantara:  As you know, image plays a significant role in luring tourists, what efforts are being taken to present the Maldives as a positive destination.

 

Dr. Lutfi:  That is through marketing and promotion, and disseminating information about Maldives.  We also invite press people, advertise through radio.

 

Alcantara: Is there anything you want to add?  Any message to the travel trade?

 

Dr. Lutfi:  I want to tell them that Maldives is a peaceful country, Maldivians are peace-loving people, our resorts are the best in the world, the most beautiful.  It is paradise on earth.  If you want to be in paradise, you just visit the Maldives.

November 22, 2004   Posted in: Maldives