The International Maldives Travel Market (IMTM) has successfully wrapped up the fourth edition of the Sustainable Tourism Forum (STF), which took place at Manhattan Business Hotel, from 11th to 12th December.
This year, inspired by the World Tourism Organization’s theme for World Tourism Day, STF explored “Green Investments and Innovation for Responsible Tourism: Paving the Path for a Greener Future”. The forum presented an opportunity to delve into how tourism investments in upskilling people, renewable energy, and climate adaptation, while fostering avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship, could enable a more sustainable future for the world.
The STF 2023 was endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism as the Official Partner, the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) as the Official Destination Partner, and the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) as the Endorsing Partner.
Numerous stakeholders from the tourism sector, including resorts, guesthouses, and NGOS, as well as private sector tourism-related businesses, independent institutions, UNDP, ministries, scientific and academic bodies came together for the forum. The diversity of attendees encouraged a multi-sector conversation and collaboration towards a common goal: sustainability.
STF 2023 explored the perceptions of stakeholders of the tourism sector with regard to sustainability and inquired into how they practice it. The primary objective of the STF was to identify and develop criteria for sustainable tourism establishments in the Maldives.
A policy paper on the findings and conclusions of the forum will be published, with hopes of encouraging further sustainable practices in the Maldives. The paper will be presented to government offices, NGOs, associations, and other tourism-related establishments.