Introducing rival seaplane operators vital for tourism: MATATO
15 Oct 2013, 12:33 PM
Neil Merrett
The Maldives Association for Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) feels it is imperative that competition be introduced to the country’s seaplane industry to assuage fears that the resulting monopoly has negatively hit tourism.
MATATO President Mohamed Khaleel has alleged that the sale of both Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) and Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT) to US-based private equity fund Blackstone in February of this year has already led to increased prices for guests and tour operators.
“We need to find a competitor to [Blackstone],” said Khaleel.
The merged company now operates under the TMA brand.
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