The year 2022 marks the Golden Jubilee year of the Maldives in the tourism Industry, various festivities have been planned and executed by the ministry of tourism and private tourist organizations. The Ministry of Tourism collaborating with Ocean Geographic and Maldives Alliance for Dive Operators (MADO) has kickstarted an underwater photo competition.
A virtual inauguration ceremony of the competition was held which was attended by Dr. Abdullah Mausoom, the Minister of Tourism. The underwater photo competition registration opened at the ceremony with the presence of the acclaimed Maldivian Diver, Hussain Rasheedh (Sandy). From 2022 onwards this competition will be held annually and might also be able to provide the ministry with valued data to study reefs and the rapid changes it undergoes over time. According to Dr. Abdullah Mausoom’s speech at the ceremony, he believes that this competition will be vital in spreading awareness for sustainable tourism in the Maldives, he further highlighted the beauty of the dive sites of the Maldives, and the need for coral reef conservation.
The Ministry will receive 5 photos per candidate for the competition which will be evaluated by a panel of dedicated judges. The top 50 dive sites will be announced after the analysis of the photos gathered from all the candidates in the competition.
