Aminath Susan has been appointed as the CEO of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO).

Susan was previously the Managing Director of Hotels and Resort Construction Pvt Ltd. She is also the first female board member of the Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI) in the Maldives, MATATO said in a statement today. She was also a member of the Executive Board of the National Federation of Maldives Employees (NFME).

MATATO said in a statement that Susan has overcome many obstacles in a male-dominated field and has set an example for women to succeed in this field.

Tourism is an important industry for the economy of the Maldives and women make up only five percent of the workforce. The association said it is important to empower women in the tourism sector and provide opportunities for women. They said the appointment of Susan as the CEO of the association is a symbol of the importance MATATO places on it.

Susan's appointment shows that MATATO attaches importance to eliminating gender-based barriers to advancement in the field, the association's president Abdullah Giyas said in a statement. He said he believes Susan’s role is important in achieving the goals of the association as this year is a year of special priority for local travel agents.