New Policy to Complete and Market Projects Allocated for Tourism Development

Delivering his first presidential statement after taking office, the President, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, said the government's target in the tourism sector is to open 20 new resorts this year and create 2,857 beds.

The President said he would provide opportunities to complete the unfinished resorts. The difficulties in developing the abandoned properties have been identified and solutions have been found.

The Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Finance, Maldives Internal Revenue Authority (MIRA) and the Economic Council are working together to formulate a policy to address the development of 63 unfinished resort projects for tourism development, he said. The work on this policy will be completed within the next week or so, he said.

"For the development and completion of such facilities, the lease agreement and investments will be re-structured and a policy of assistance to complete the work of these villages will be formulated and hopefully implemented,” the President stated.

He said he had set up a Visitor Economy Council in the Cabinet to expand tourism services in Maldives. The President added that another objective of the council is to make Maldives a destination for major international conferences and ceremonies, and to expand tourism services in the fields of education, culture, heritage, health and environment.

He also said that special efforts will be made to expand tourism in the atolls.