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Sustainable Destination Management

Strategies in the OIC Member Countries

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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.

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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.

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Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water. (2007).

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2007

. Retrieved from

http://www.mvlaw.gov.mv/pdf/gavaid/minHousing/27.pdf.