Opposition accused of campaigning for tourism boycott at ITB fair
16 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Pro-government MPs today accused the opposition of conducting a tourism boycott campaign at the recently concluded ITB Berlin travel fair in Germany with the aim of “destroying” the Maldives’ tourism-dependent economy.
At today’s sitting of parliament, MP Ahmed Mubeen of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives submitted a motion without notice condemning alleged efforts to bring the country into disrepute with exaggerated claims of Maldivians joining extremist militant groups in the Middle East.
“They tried very hard to characterise the Maldives as a place that German tourists shouldn’t visit,” he said, noting that the ITB convention was the largest platform for promoting the country as a tourist destination.
The Bilehdhoo MPs’ urgent motion was passed with 29 votes in favour, opening the People’s Majlis floor for a one-hour debate. A second motion was later passed to extend the debate time to allow 41 MPs to speak.
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