Heritage Minister Urges Resorts to Establish Museums to Promote Maldivian Culture

Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed has called on the tourism industry to integrate cultural museums within resorts to better showcase the Maldives' rich heritage to international visitors. Speaking to PSM News during a visit to the Maldives Discovery Centre at Crossroads Maldives, the Minister highlighted the importance of creating spaces where tourists can engage with the country's history. She praised the Discovery Centre as a benchmark for interactive and educational tourism, noting that such attractions present historical information in a way that is both accessible and engaging. Minister Waleed emphasized that establishing these cultural hubs would provide tourists with a deeper understanding of Maldivian traditions, history, and the local way of life, moving beyond the traditional image of the Maldives as solely a sun-and-sand destination. Beyond tourism, the Minister noted that these initiatives serve a vital domestic purpose. She stated that resort-based museums could function as educational tools for Maldivian schoolchildren and youth, strengthening their connection to the national language and heritage. To achieve this, she encouraged the private sector to launch more initiatives that actively promote the Dhivehi language and local customs. This call for private sector collaboration aligns with the government's broader strategic vision for the heritage sector. The administration has outlined three primary policy pillars: the monetization of heritage to create sustainable economic value, the integration of cultural elements into public experiences, and the digitization of heritage assets to ensure they are preserved for future generations.