Ibrahim Shareef, the CEO and Managing Director of the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), has been appointed to the executive board of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI).

The announcement was made during the 34th Annual General Meeting held at Kurumba Maldives yesterday, with the participation of 100 MATI members.

Alongside Shareef, Renato De Oliveira, the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, and representative of Marriott Internationale, was also elected to the prestigious board.

The news of their appointment has been officially released on the MATI website as a press release, marking the significance of these additions to the leadership team.

The existing executive board of MATI boasts a dynamic lineup, with Mohamed Umar Manik, a founding member of the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and pioneer of the first resort in the Maldives, serving as the Chairman.

Joining him are prominent figures such as Salah Shihab, Founder Shareholder and Managing Director of Voyages Maldives Pvt Ltd, and Hussain Afeef, founding father and director of Crown and Champa Resorts, holding the positions of Vice Chairman.

Ahmed Hafeez, Shareholder and Managing Director of Dhonakulhi Investment Pvt Ltd, has taken on the role of Financial Controller, while Mr. Ahmed Nazeer, Founder and Director of Crown Company, serves as the Secretary General.

The 34th AGM covered a diverse range of topics crucial to the tourism industry.

Discussions included the government's ambitious aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2023, the integration of renewable energy in the tourism sector, updates on the new terminal of Velana International Airport, employment challenges, the Industrial Relations Act and trade unions, environmental conservation, and the importance of efficient management plans for protected areas like the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA).

Notably, the meeting also witnessed the participation of key government figures, with Hon. Ibrahim Faisal, the Minister of Tourism, and Hon. Mohamed Saeed, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, actively engaging in discussions.

The appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Shareef and Mr. Renato De Oliveira to the MATI executive board signifies a strategic move to bring experienced leaders from the aviation and hospitality sectors to contribute to the shaping of policies and initiatives for the Maldives' vibrant tourism industry.