Minister Thoriq Ibrahim Launches iCOAST Maldives Project to Advance Sustainable Tourism

Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim yesterday launched the Project Preparation phase of the Integrated Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Tourism (iCOAST) Maldives Project, a major national initiative aimed at transforming the tourism sector through sustainability-focused reforms.

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment confirmed that iCOAST Maldives seeks to foster a supportive policy and regulatory environment while introducing financial tools to encourage government bodies, businesses, and communities to adopt nature-based, net-zero, resilient, zero-waste, and pollution-free tourism practices.

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The project is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

During the project’s inception workshop, held in Malé, over 50 representatives from resorts, tourism associations, and other key stakeholders engaged in a dialogue on the project’s long-term sustainability objectives. Discussions centred on sector-wide collaboration and innovation to position the Maldives as a global leader in sustainable tourism.

As part of the initiative, the ministry had announced a national Call for Interest on June 2, inviting resorts to participate in the programme.

The ministry had said participating resorts will benefit from:

• Expert Technical Support: Strategies to reduce water, energy, and chemical consumption.
• Sustainable Procurement Assistance: Guidance on replacing imports with local, eco-friendly alternatives.
• Recognition Opportunities: Elevation as sustainability leaders both locally and internationally.
• Training & Capacity Building: Skill development for hotel staff and management teams.
• Eco-Marketing Exposure: Inclusion in international and regional eco-tourism campaigns.
• Support for Net-Zero Goals: Implementation of nature-based and pollution-free technologies and strategies.
  Strengthened Local Supply Chains: Enhancements across agriculture, F&B, construction, textiles, and services.
  Collaborative Partnerships: Opportunities to engage with local consultants, suppliers, and authorities.
  Pilot Project Funding: Access to financial and technical resources for sustainability innovations.
  

In their announcement, the ministry stated that priority will be given to resorts that demonstrate a firm commitment to sustainability and innovation, actively invest in sustainable practices, collaborate with local stakeholders, and are open to sharing data for project monitoring and evaluation.

The ministry reiterated that iCOAST Maldives is a key step in its broader mission to embed sustainability in the core of the Maldivian tourism model, ensuring economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility and community empowerment.