Harin apologises to Maldives over tourism comparison comments in ITB

• Tourism Minister’s remarks that Sri Lanka has much to offer than Maldives draw widespread flack
• Harin claims social media misrepresented his remarks
• Maldives Tourism Minister tweets indirect rebuttal
• Nation of atolls win World’s Leading Destination title for the third year in a row plus ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’ award

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando

Maldives Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando yesterday extended his apologies to the Maldives over a public statement made about the country during his participation at the international travel and trade fair, ITB Berlin in Germany. His statement was condemned by Maldivian Tourism Minister, some Parliamentarians, organisations and Maldivian as well as Sri Lankan citizens.

Speaking to journalists at ITB in Berlin last week, Tourism Minister Fernando claimed that Sri Lanka has much to offer in comparison to Maldives, noting that tourists get bored after several days.

In response to the backlash, Minister Fernando yesterday said that his statement made in Berlin was taken out of context and had been misrepresented on social media.

“My statement made in Berlin regarding the beautiful Maldive islands has been taken out of context and been misrepresented on social media. I wish to clarify that we work together with our neighbour on tourism and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said via Twitter yesterday.

Minister Fernando said that he only wanted to highlight that tourists can come to Sri Lanka after visiting the beautiful beaches in Maldives.

“It was a 30-minute statement and my statement was taken out of context,” he added.

However Harin’s Maldivian counterpart didn’t think so and countered wittily via a tweet. “Winner of the World’s Leading Destination @WTravelAwards in 2020, 2021 & 2022 #Maldives is the Global #Tourism #Benchmark. Thanks to developers and service providers for making the Maldives simply the best and #addictive!! If jealous and in doubt please ask the #Mirror again and again,” Maldives Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom said via Twitter yesterday.

Adding salt to Harin and Sri Lanka’s wounds was the Maldives winning the title of World’s Leading Destination for the third year in a row in 2022, a significant win for the island nation at the World Tourism Awards 2022, at Al Bustan palace, Ritz-Carlton, Oman.

This title was gained by the country after competing against 18 other countries, including notable countries such as Dubai, Indonesia and Greece, making this victory even more impressive given that the rival countries are also known to be breathtakingly beautiful and popular.

To top it all off, Maldives secured the ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board 2022’ as well.