The government's aim for the tourism sector is to open 20 new resorts this year, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said today.
In his presidential address delivered at the opening of Parliament, the President revealed the government's decisions for expanding tourism. The aim is to create 2,857 beds with the 20 resorts, he said.
"For the plots of land, lagoons and islands leased for tourism development, work has now started on identifying the difficulties and obstacles as well as the solutions for developing the places where work has stopped for various reasons," the President said today.
The Tourism Ministry, Finance Ministry, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) and the cabinet's economic council are working together to formulate a policy for completing 63 projects and bringing the properties to the market, the President revealed. The work will finish next week, he said.
"In order to develop and complete such places, a policy will be set and God willing implemented for providing assistance for completing work on the islands, after lease agreements and investments are restructured," the President said.
As part of efforts to expand tourism to the atolls, an "Asseyri Tourism" project will be launched in Addu City, the President said.
"[The government plans] to introduce MICE tourism to make the Maldives a destination for holding large international symposiums and events; to expand tourism services through the education sector, heritage sector, health sector and environment sector as well," he said, explaining his vision.
According to statistics in the "Fiscal Risks Statement 2023" published by the Finance Ministry last year, a total of 256 islands were leased for tourism in the Maldives, of which 168 islands were operational resorts. Work on developing the remaining 88 islands was not progressing in line with agreements, the statement noted.
The number of islands with stalled development is the highest in Kaafu atoll with 29 islands leased for tourism but not brought into operation.
