The Maldives has launched a PR offensive after the negative publicity caused by its political troubles.
A delegation of officials including the Tourism minister and acting High Commissioner tried to reassure the travel industry that bans on spa resorts, pork and alcohol came from the previous government and would not be repeated, see previous story.
They also claimed that the country was still a democracy and that investigations were underway as to whether former President Mohamed Nasheed resigned or was ousted in a coup d’etat when Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed took over power on 7 February.
But outside the press conference representatives from other political groups, including the Friends of Maldives (FOM), argued the first elected government was ‘overthrown’ last month, citing police brutality and a return to the previous dictatorship in the country.
Tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor said: "It was the previous government which closed the spas and it was overruled by the Supreme Court. We can assure you that this will not be repeated. Spas are open under the laws of the country."
Acting High Commissioner for the Maldives, Ahmed Shiaan said the protests were a ‘political game’ and that there was ‘nothing to hide’.
Gafoor said that tour operators and agents had not expressed concern about the political situation in the Maldives adding that all the resorts were on islands away from any of the demonstrations.
He said operators including British Airways Holidays, Cosmo and Tui were asking for the country to take charter flights and offer more ‘affordable’ luxury through three and four star resorts.
The destination said it was intending to diversify its tourism expanding on the traditional high end resorts, with community based tourism on some of the inhabited islands and ecological tourism by creating a bio reserve.
Gafoor said: "The Maldives can be a luxury but affordable option. We are in need of the charter flights from the UK. We understand the economic situation in Europe and that we are in."
