Nine more facilities have resumed services to tourists across the Maldives.
The latest weekly statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism reveal that the nine more tourist facilities that reopened doors to tourists across the Maldives included five guesthouses, two hotels and two liveaboard vessels.
As such, the five guesthouses that resumed operations between February 2 - 9 are one in Kelaa island of Haa Alif atoll, two in Kaafu atoll including one in Guraidhoo and one in the Greater Malé Region, as well as two in Fuvahmulah City.
The total operational capacity of tourist accommodation establishments across Maldives has risen to 950 with this development, including 162 resorts, 640 guesthouses, 12 hotels and 148 liveaboard vessels.
The number of operational beds increased to 54,138 as well, of which 38,822 are in resorts, 1,424 are in hotels, 10,980 are in guesthouses and 2,912 are in safari vessels.
Maldives currently has a capacity of 1,167 tourist facilities which include 153 safari vessels, 847 hotels and guesthouses and 167 resorts. This means that of the total facility-capacity, five safari vessels, five resorts, 207 guesthouses and hotels are yet to resume operations.
Guesthouses currently in operation are:
- 13 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,
- 243 guesthouses in 10 islands of Kaafu atoll,
- 121 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,
- Seven guesthouses in six islands of Gaaf Alif atoll,
- Six guesthouses in four islands of Gaaf Dhaal atoll,
- 20 guesthouses in Fuvahmulah City,
- 13 guesthouses in six districts of Addu City in 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.
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.
