MATATO holds Maldives Travel Conference 2025 Women’s Edition in Addu
Abhishek Mukherjee 
Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) on Saturday concluded the Maldives Travel Conference 2025, Women’s Edition in Addu.
The conference was hosted by Equator Village in Addu City as the event’s Venue Partner, followed by a free training on financial literacy organised by Business Centre Corporation (BCC).
Endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Social and Family Development, MMPRC / Visit Maldives, Addu City Council, National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives (NHGAM), and various women’s associations (Addu Women’s Association, Veshisaafu, WDC Addu City, Southern Community Empowerment Association of Maldives, Women in Management Maldives, Women on Board, Women Entrepreneurs Association Maldives and Association of Lady Entrepreneurs), the conference focused on opportunities for women in Addu, tourism employment is not limited to resorts only, and on combatting societal stigma towards working women.
The all female panel consisted of Noora Jaleel, Council Executive and Acting SG of Addu City Council, Almas Hassan, Admin Manager at Velaa Private Island, Aminath Shifana, Project Manager and Civil Engineer, and Fathimath Hafsa, Principal at Nooraanee School.
The event was graced by Chief Guest, Dr Aminath Adhala Rasheed, Councillor at Addu City Council. The conference’s main sponsor was second time sponsor of the conference, Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB), with associate sponsors (Resort Life Travel and Gakaba), with Maldivian partnering as the Airline Partner.
“We hope today’s dialogue can be a stepping stone to pave the way for women in Addu to explore different avenues to contribute to the tourism industry, and start the much needed conversation on how to address the challenges of working women,” stated Aminath Suzan, CEO of MATATO, who moderated the panel discussion.
The Addu edition continues MATATO’s Women’s Edition initiative, launched in August 2024, which aims to empower women in tourism. Similar to the inaugural conference, a detailed post-conference report will follow.
Future editions are planned for Thoddoo in May 2025, and in Male in August 2025, in partnership with Hotel Jen Male’.
