Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has said the government will launch homestay tourism in the Maldives next year.
Homestay tourism is part of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's manifesto. Answering a question posed by AVAS regarding the concept, Minister Mausoom said it is expected that homestay tourism can be launched in the Maldives during early 2022.
Homestay tourism is the commercialization of the home where visitors share a residence with a local of the city to which they are traveling. Although homestay tourism would be a beneficial source of income for locals, tourism industry partners are concerned about multiple issues that could arise in implementing the concept.
Minister Mausom said while it is natural to have concerns when a new concept is being implemented, the concept will be introduced in such a way that there are proper rules and regulations in place. The minister said homestay tourism will be properly regulated, similar to any other business operating in the Maldives.
According to President Solih's manifesto, island hotels and boutique hotels will be introduced in the Maldives in addition to homestay tourism. This would expand the tourism industry and pave way for locals to earn an income through tourism, he said.
