Preparations are not underway to get ready to serve tourists when the Velana International Airport (VIA) development project is completed, prominent businessman and Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) Vice Chairman Champa Hussain Afeef has said.

Speaking at a panel discussion on the occasion of World Tourism Day, Afeef said seven million tourists will pass through VIA every year when the project is completed, but preparations were not ongoing to serve the tourists.

"When the new airport opens and seven million tourists come and go, where are the people who will do the jobs? I haven't heard about anything being done to prepare. Our responsibility is not over when the airport is completed," he said.

Afeef further noted that the transportation sector must also be strengthened with the airport renovation in order to give improved services to tourists.

He said the number of additional seaplanes and aircraft needed to be brought in should be considered and preparations must be made before the airport is completed.

"I think such matters are very weak. It started culturally, much earlier. When we first did it, we didn't think about it. People came while we were there. When they came, we went into the kitchen and cooked and fed them. But that time is gone now," Afeef said.

Afeef called on young entrepreneurs to come out with their ideas and work on their own without expecting anything from the government.

The development of VIA began during the government of former President Abdulla Yameen. However, the project has been delayed due to difficulties in raising funds and changes in the design of the terminal.

The government expects the terminal to be completed by the middle of next year.