One more guesthouse has reopened doors to tourists in the south of Maldives, pushing the total operational capacity to 619.
The latest weekly statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism reveal that one guesthouse in Fuvahmulah City resumed operations between January 19 – 26.
The total operational capacity of tourist accommodation establishments has risen to 935 with this development including 162 resorts, 619 guesthouses, 10 hotels and 144 liveaboard vessels.
The number of operational beds increased to 53,836 as well, of which 38,822 are in resorts, 1,360 are in hotels, 10,820 are in guesthouses and 2,834 are in safari vessels.
Maldives currently has a capacity of 1,143 tourist facilities which include 157 safari vessels, 819 hotels and guesthouses and 167 resorts. This means that of the total facility-capacity, 13 safari vessels, five resorts, 190 guesthouses and hotels are yet to resume operations.
Guesthouses currently in operation are:
- 12 guesthouses in three islands of Haa Alif atoll,
- Eight guesthouses in three islands of Haa Dhaal atoll,
- Three guesthouses in three islands of Shaviyani atoll,
- Six guesthouses in three islands of Noonu atoll,
- Two guesthouses in two islands of Raa atoll,
- 40 guesthouses in 12 islands of Baa atoll,
- Four guesthouses in four islands of Lhaviyani atoll,
- 239 guesthouses in 10 islands of Kaafu atoll,
- 120 guesthouses in eight islands of Alif Alif atoll,
- 70 guesthouses in nine islands of Alif Dhaal atoll,
- 50 guesthouses in five islands of Vaavu atoll,
- Four guesthouses in four islands of Meemu atoll,
- Seven guesthouses in two islands of Faafu atoll,
- Four guesthouses in four islands of Dhaalu atoll,
- Four guesthouses in three islands of Thaa atoll,
- Three guesthouses in one island of Laamu atoll,
- Six guesthouses in five islands of Gaaf Alif atoll,
- Six guesthouses in four islands of Gaaf Dhaal atoll,
- 18 guesthouses in Fuvahmulah City,
- 13 guesthouses in five districts of Seenu atoll.
The ministry on January 1 facilitated the introduction of Homestay in the Maldives as well, with the first of its kind launched in Dhiggaru island of Meemu atoll. This comes under the president’s tourism development vision and policy to make tourism and its benefits to the island communities, accessible.
The first tourists under the homestay concept were welcomed to “Moorithi” guesthouse in Dhiggaru.
Nearly four months since borders were closed, Maldives reopened borders on 15 July 2020 and at first, resorts and liveaboard vessels were given the green light to begin operations. Guesthouses outside of the Greater Malé Region were permitted to resume operations on 15 October 2020. Authorities allowed the reopening of guesthouses in the capital region on 14 December 2020.
