Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
53
master plan involves both parties and is a convergence of the interests of both, private players
as well as the public sector. The master plan is compiled with the aid and contributions of a team
of consultants from several international entities including the Asian Development Bank, UNEP,
UNWTO, and the World Bank. It traces the changes over time, and assesses the component parts
of Maldives tourism, and includes a detailed analysis of the proposed strategy in moving
forward. All contributing factors to the industry are outlined and detailed in the master plan.
Besides the Ministry of Tourism, there are several government bodies which set rules and
guidelines to be followed to ensure that neither properties nor individuals act in a manner that
is harmful to the environment or that affects the culture. The Ministry of Environment and
Energy (MEE) ensures protection of the environment and is responsible for the planning and
implementation of sustainable development regarding all aspects relating to energy, water,
sanitation, and energy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is connected to the
MEE, is responsible for setting regulations for the protection and conservation of the
environment and biodiversity. It is also responsible for setting regulation concerning pollution
and waste management. Its mandate was set forth by the Environment Protection and
Preservation Act (4/93). The act stipulates that any developmental work or project should have
an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of its likely influence conducted and consented by
MEE.165 EIA is an assessment of the likely influence a project may have on the environment. EIA
was formulated to enhance environmental sustainability and further facilitation of
environmentally-sound development.
Figure 12: Maldives - Ministry of Tourism
Source: Maldives Ministry of Tourism Website
In addition to government bodies, Maldives has a number of organizations that guide the
tourism industry including the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC),
the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), the Maldives Association of Travel Agents
and Tour Operators (MATATO), the Liveaboards Association of Maldives (LAM) as well as the
Guesthouses Association of Maldives (GAM). These organizations work as advocates and
recommend guidelines to tourism establishments.
165 Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water. (2007). Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2007 . Retrieved from