The next largest tourism project in the country will be launched shortly in Vaavu atoll, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced today.
The second stop on the president's ongoing campaign trip to Vaavu, an atoll where guesthouse and local tourism has been booming, was Keyodhoo.
Speaking at a campaign rally on the island, the president said the government has plans to carry out economic activities in the atoll despite its small size and population.
"One of the largest [tourism] projects to be undertaken next in the Maldives will start soon in this atoll, details will be revealed soon," he said.
Some agreements for the project have been signed and some decisions will be made at the economic council's meeting tomorrow, the president said. Work will begin after that, he added.
Despite not offering much detail about the project, the president said that "this atoll will also be connected by air" when the project commences.
Vaavu atoll is one of the few atolls in the country without an airport. While he indicated that an airport could be developed, the president did not explicitly say so. He did not provide further details either.
On Keyodhoo's development, the president said seven pledges had been made for the island during the 2018 presidential campaign and that many things need to be done simultaneously because nothing was done in the past.
"Here's the harbor completed. It's something the people wanted. The multi-purpose hall is to be opened today. A two-storey building for four classrooms to be added to the school is ongoing. In addition, a four-storey building for the island's school has been planned. God willing, that too will be added to the school," he said.
The president said further that work on developing the island's health centre, volley court and football pitch would begin very soon.
The president also pledged to provide a picnic island during the next term as requested by the public.
