MATI launches two books to commemorate tourism golden jubilee

At its annual general meeting on Sunday (19 February), the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) launched two books to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Tourism in the Maldives. 

The ‘Maldivian Resort Architecture – 50 years of island resorts’ by Mauroof Jameel and ’50 years of Tourism in Maldives – the Pioneers, People and Policies that Shaped Maldives Tourism’ by Simad Saeed were released at MATI’s 33rd AGM held at Kurumba resort.

The former “documents the architectural evolution of the Maldivian resorts,” according to MATI. The author, Mauroof Jameel, is an architect, independent researcher and an illustrator specialising in the architectural heritage of the Maldives. He is also the author of ‘Coral Stone Mosques of Maldives: The Vanishing Legacy of the Indian Ocean.’’

The second book, ’50 years of Tourism in Maldives – the Pioneers, People and Policies that Shaped Maldives Tourism’ by Simad Saeed chronicles the evolution of the Maldives’ tourism industry over the past five decades. The author is the Managing Director of CDE Consulting and an avid researcher of tourism in the Maldives. He specialises in strategy, sustainability and social Innovation. 

Tourism Minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom, MATI Chairman Mohamed Umar Maniku, Health Minister Ahmed Naseem, MATI Secretary General Ahmed Nazeer, and MMPRC CEO Thoyyib Mohamed joined the authors to officially launch the books. The Maldives celebrated the 50th anniversary of tourism in 2022.

Both books are available for purchase on the MATI website. 

With 96 members in attendance, MATI’s executive board was also elected for a three-year term at this year’s AGM. The organisation’s charter was amended to increase the board’s term from one to three years.