'Integrating Tourism into Adaptation to Climate Change in the Maldives' is part of UNWTO’s strategy to implement the recommendations of the Davos Declaration.This project aims at carrying out a series of policy, capacity building and on-the-ground adaptation measures, in order to generate an international reference and adaptation model for small island destinations.
“The Maldives, as most island nations, is highly vulnerable to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. This project can greatly enhance adaptive capacity of the tourism sector, which forms the backbone of our economy. We will coordinate closely on this project with the Ministry of Tourism, to ensure effective preparation and implementation” – said the Mr. Abdullahi Majeed, Deputy Minister of Environment.
Considering its tourism development process and the high quality of its offer, UNWTO has identified the Maldives as one of the most successful tourism destinations in the World.
“Unique Tourism Product”
Dr. Abdullah Mausoom, Deputy Minister for Tourism stressed that “The pristine environment, the atolls, coral reefs and lagoons form the very basis of our unique tourism product. The tourism industry is highly aware of the need for their conservation and is taking actions. This project will support the implementation of our new Tourism Master Plan, especially considering its component to apply environmental management systems in resorts, integrating also nearby island communities”
The current project development phase is expected to be completed by October this year. Upon successful submission and approval it will be implemented through a 2-3 years project cycle.
The main objectives include:
- developing an information exchange mechanism among resorts on good environmental practices;
- developing partnerships with inhabited local islands;
- streamlining national policies;
- training environmental officers at tourism operations and resorts;
- integrating climate change issues in the curricula of hospitality and tourism training; and
- implementing pilot projects in demonstration areas, ranging from erosion control and waste management to coral conservation and water management.
Getting “Climate-Ready”
“It was especially encouraging through the consultations to talk with resort managers working on the ground, see their high awareness of environmental issues and high interest to collaborate in this project. In this early project stage we have been already identifying some practical examples and methods on how the tourism sector can respond to climate change, and there the Maldives is a very emblematic island destination in this context” – said Gabor Vereczi, project coordinator at UNWTO’s Sustainable Development of Tourism Department.
“This project will also serve to reinforce Maldives as an international leading destination in environmental management and climate response. We have to send the message that Maldives is getting climate-ready, its low-lying atolls are there to stay and welcome tourists for many generations to come. – he added.
'Integrating Tourism into Adaptation to Climate Change' is being executed by UNWTO through funding from the Global Environmental Facility, and in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water, and the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Maldives.
The initial workshop held in Male on 21st May brought together representatives from key Ministries, tourism private sector associations and companies, research and education institutions, and served to identify the main project objectives and action areas. Unanimous readiness has been expressed by the participants to take actions, further enhance and mainstream environmental practices in the tourism sector.
Contact information:
Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
T: +34 91-567-8178 /8100 - F: +34 91-567-8218
comm@UNWTO.org - http://www.unwto.org/index.php
15/12/2008 05:53 
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