The Ministry of Tourism revealed on Tuesday night that 29 uninhabited islands had been allocated for new tourism developments.
Speaking at the 'Buravi' ceremony, Minister Ali Waheed stated that the government plans to develop 13,720 tourist beds in 29 islands by the end of their tenure. This initiative will create 18,000 employment opportunities as well, he said.
Islands in development
• HA. Maafinolhu (425 beds, 632 jobs)
• HA. Dhahparu (1,000 beds, 2,000 jobs)
• HA. Medhufushi (317 beds, 249 jobs)
• HA. Alidhuhfarufinolhu (233 beds, 349 jobs)
• HDh. Hondaidhoo (500 beds, 800 jobs)
• HDh. Kudafaru Fasgandu (233 beds, 349 jobs)
• HDh. Vaikarumaraidhoo (436 beds, 600 jobs)
• Sh. Nalandhoo (1,700 beds, 2,000 jobs)
• Sh. Kudalhaimendhoo (400 beds, 600 jobs)
• Sh. Fushifaru (233 beds, 349 jobs)
• N. Kunnamalai (250 beds, 300 jobs)
• R. Egili (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• 10 hectors dredged land in R. Alifushi Falhu (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• M. Sidheehuraa (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• M. Boahuraa (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• F. Enbulufushi (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• F. Jinnathugu'u (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• Th. Kaaddoo (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• Th. Kanimeedhoo (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• Th. Olhufushi (200 beds, 300 jobs)
• L. Kashidhoo (233 beds, 349 jobs)
• L. Dhonberahaa (233 beds, 749 jobs)
• L. Bodumunyafushi (233 beds, 300 jobs)
• GA. Maarehaa Fai (494 beds, 200 jobs)
• GA. Fanadhooviligihlaa (233 beds)
• GDh. Kandahalagalaa (215 beds, 200 jobs)
• GDh. Fereythaviligiyya (233 beds, 300 jobs)
• GDh. Kadevaarehaa (200 beds, 309 jobs)
• S. Hankede (207 beds, 309 jobs)
The Minister revealed that they gave the highest regard to the the wishes of atoll residents in their decision. Minister Waheed said that they also gave importance to the exclusion of islands from environmentally sensitive regions.
"We aim to finish the bid process and initiate efforts within the first six months of 2020. Our target is to conclude the initiative successfully and employ locals to the vacant posts", the Minister said.
Ali Waheed further revealed that when the government assumed office, there were 32,424 beds within 143 resorts, 2790 beds within 30 hotels, and 10,934 beds within 703 guesthouses registered at the Ministry of Tourism.
However at the end of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's first year in office, an additional 4,968 beds within 21 newly established resorts, 72 beds within a single hotel, and 1,544 beds within 101 guesthouses were registered. Ali Waheed further said that 5 tourist vessels and one Yacht Marina had been attained as well.
While the Ministry of Tourism made this announcement there are currently 140 tourism projects ongoing in the country, out of which 70 are yet incomplete. There are 150 operational resorts in the Maldives.
