Local tourism island, K. Gulhi has reopened its doors to tourists and welcomed its first guests on Saturday.
All facilities necessary to be established on the island as per the Health Protection Agency (HPA)’s guidelines with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic were completed prior to reopening the inhabited island to tourists. While all requirements necessitated by the Tourism Ministry were also fulfilled, the island restarted local tourism with the support of the island council.
After all tourism facilities in inhabited islands temporarily ceased operation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for over six months, the first guesthouses to reopen in Gulhi are Tropic Tree Guest House and Sandy Haven Maldives. The first tourist to visit the island after the break is staying at Sandy Haven Maldives.
A special website ‘gulhi.com’ and social media platforms have been launched to market Gulhi as its own tourism destination. The website lists all tourism facilities and restaurants on the island, as well as information on the resources available with regard to COVID-19.
According to a 2014 census, Gulhi has a population of approximately 850 people. Located 20 minutes away from capital Male’, the island is famous for its pristine white beaches. Seven guest houses were operated on the island up until the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest houses located on nearby Guraidhoo and Maafushi also offer excursions to the island beach.
67,564 tourists have visited the Maldives since it reopened its borders on July 15. While a large number of tourists have visited this month, the total number of arrivals for the year is at 450,411.
