Industries in Maldives
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Industries in the Maldives center around fishing and tourism, with some overlap between the two with recreational fishing.
Fishing
Pole and line fishing
Since prehistory, the method of fishing employed in the archipelago has been the pole and line method. The types of fish caught by this method are
Traditionally, fishermen set out at dawn in search of bait fish, which were caught and kept alive in a specially prepared compartment of the dhoani. Eight or nine men did the actual fishing. The poles are short, are equipped with a line, and hook. During a favorable season, the catch can be as much as a thousand fish per dhoani per day. Traditionally, the fishermen return to the island by nightfall; however, with the advent of mechanized dhoani, they are generally back by the early afternoon. Skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna are the most common species caught in Maldives.
Industrial fishing
Mechanization of the traditional sailing dhoani in 1974 changed the fishing industry of the Maldives. A new generation of dhoani, designed especially for mechanization, was introduced. A fish-canning factory was set up in 1977 as a joint venture with a
When the Japanese pulled out, the government negotiated a deal to buy the three freezer and six collector vessels that belonged to them, which then became part of the State Trading Organization (STO) fleet. However, by the time that STO inherited the Japanese fleet; the vessels were over twenty years old. A new fleet of vessels was acquired. Three mother ships were built in Korea and nine collector vessels were constructed in Malé. A boat yard was built on the island of Alifushi and the construction of one hundred second-generation Mark II dhoanis was begun. These dhoanis were sold to the fishermen on a lease-purchase basis. The opening up of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), for fisheries proved to be a boon to the country's fishing industry.
Fish cannery
The first fish canning plant was established on the island of
Tourism
Development
White sandy beaches, clear waters, and waving palms under blue skies make Maldives a
In 1972, the first tourist resort,
At the start, the country's tourism and its development was for the most part dependent on private initiative. In 1979, the tourism law was enacted, requiring all foreign investments to be registered at the Department of Tourism and Foreign Investment. A tourism plan was formulated in 1983, creating guidelines for the overall development of tourism, and identifying tourism zones in different parts of the country. In 1984, the tourism advisory board was created. The department of tourism was upgraded to a ministry in 1988.
The opening of
The private sector and the government are actively involved in the promotion and marketing of the tourism product. Maldives is represented in all major international
The development of tourism has fostered the overall growth of the country's economy. It has created direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities in other related industries. Today, tourism is the country's biggest foreign exchange earner, contributing nearly a fifth of the GDP.
With 86 tourist resorts in operation, the year 2000 recorded 467,154 tourist arrivals.
Tourist facilities
Each tourist resort is situated on an uninhabited island. The islands are self-contained, with its own electricity, water and waste disposal facilities. The islands are developed according to the standards and guidelines set by the Ministry of Tourism. While all modern facilities are available, the islands retain its unique natural beauty. The designs feature local architectural concepts as well as international style. A variety of services and facilities are available to guests, to make visits comfortable, pleasant and memorable.
Maldives Tourism Promotion Board
The
MATI
Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) is a non-profit non-governmental organization working towards the sustainable development of the country's tourism industry. Its membership is open to those engaged in the travel trade business. MATI coordinates its activities with the government and work in partnership with other national and international organizations.
See also
- Fishing industry in the Maldives
- Economy of the Maldives
References
- Washington D.C.Retrieved February 4, 2009.