Male’, Maldives, 25 July 2024 – The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has launched an exciting new initiative: the MATATO Student Chapter. This innovative wing of MATATO is tailored specifically for students and will be operated by student members under the organization’s guidance.
The MATATO Student Chapter aims to create a platform that empowers youth, fosters leadership skills, enhances industry knowledge, and provides valuable experience to benefit their future careers. This initiative will serve as a springboard for young minds eager to make a mark in the travel and tourism industry.
To join the MATATO Student Chapter, students must be enrolled in any registered educational institute and be over 16 years old. This broad eligibility criterion ensures that a wide range of students can take advantage of this opportunity to grow and learn.
The initial launch focuses on Malé, but MATATO has ambitious plans to expand this initiative to other regions and islands of the Maldives. The goal is to create a network of student chapters across the country, providing students from various areas with the opportunity to participate and benefit from this enriching experience.
In the long term, MATATO plans to connect these student chapters with the international Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Student Chapters. PATA has over 20 student chapters worldwide, in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, UAE, Malaysia, Japan, India, Hong Kong, Canada, Vietnam, Switzerland, and Australia. These PATA Student Chapters operate on the principle of “for students, by students,” providing a powerful platform for youth globally to become changemakers and drive the responsible and sustainable development of the tourism industry.
This connection will not only offer Maldivian students a chance to collaborate and network with their international peers but also to contribute to and learn from a global movement towards sustainable tourism development.
The MATATO Student Chapter in Malé represents a significant opportunity for students to develop essential skills, gain industry knowledge, and prepare for successful careers in the travel and tourism sector. With the guidance of MATATO and the potential for international connections through PATA, student members will be well-equipped to become the future leaders of the industry.
