The Tourism Ministry will be announcing 'Homestay Tourism' regulations next month.
Tourism Ministry's Senior Policy Director Mohamed Hussan said the final preparations to launch the homestay concept are underway and will be ready for launch by January 2022.
Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom had previously said one of the islands where homestay will be initially introduced wil be M. Dhiggaru. The minister has traveled to several islands in Alif, Haa Dhaal, Faa, Dhaal, Baa, and Meemu atoll regarding homestay tourism.
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 so that there are proper rules and regulations in place. The minister said homestay tourism would be appropriately regulated, similar to any other business operating in the Maldives.
Homestay tourism is part of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's manifesto.
