Maldives vying for coveted “New Seven Wonders of Nature” title

Male, 10 October, (Asiantribune.com): The Maldives, a nation of breathtakingly beautiful coral islands is now in an all out effort, nationally and internationally, to become a “New Seven Wonders of Nature” in the world.

Listed as a finalist, the Maldives is vying for the coveted title with 27 other contenders of fascinating locations in the world, to be declared in 2011.

The New7Wonders of Nature (N7W) is a global campaign, (http://www.new7wonders.com/) where the result of over 1 billion votes will be announced in 2011.

The Maldives cabinet early this week threw its weight behind this initiative, deciding to “utilise all means to ensure that the country become one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature,” President’s office said.

The Cabinet called for a “nation-wide contribution” saying the country’s victory would boost its image and increase popularity.

Nominated for the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’ campaign early this year, the Maldives kicked off its campaign to vote on 3 October.

The members also discussed ways of seeking assistance of friendly countries.

Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ali Hassan Didi is awaiting detailed information from the government to kick off his campaign in Sri Lanka, lobbying support for his country.

Didi told Asian Tribune yesterday that the information should reach him in “couple of days.”

“It will be more of an awareness campaign at an international level to vote for the Maldives.”

In the event the country manages to grab the title, it would certainly be a “mileage to the country’s booming tourism industry,” he said.

Above all, Didi said “it will throw the attention of the international community to the Maldives in its race against climate change.”

The Maldives, a string of 1192 islands out of which nearly 200 are inhabited, is already haven for tourists well known for its beautiful beaches.

Yet its low lying islands are in great danger of being submerged in the next decade due to rising seas blamed on climate change.

Meanwhile, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Bureau called upon “all fans and supporters from home and abroad to create the best and most exciting campaign ever for Maldives to become a winner.”

The Bureau called it would be a “gift to the next generation” if the Maldives succeeds in the campaign, urging people to vote by visiting www.visitmaldives.com or by logging into the official voting website directly on www.new7wonders.com

Maldives Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dr Ahmed Sawad too has said voting terminals will be placed in the airport and the MTPB would distribute leaflets in rooms at all resorts.

He was quoted as saying in Minivan News that the “campaign will involve garnering support from schools and offices across the Maldives as well as from holidaymakers.”

- Asian Tribune -