Ministry discloses information on re-authorized resorts

The Tourism Ministry had disclosed information on six re-authorized resorts.

At a press conference on Sunday, Tourism Minister Ali Waheed disclosed information on resorts that have been given their operating license after it was withdrawn over failure to pay rent and fines.

The resorts were given permission to re-open after agreeing to pay off their debt to the state within a year.

These resorts are:

Filitheyo Island Resort (owned by A.A.A & Trading Company): owes USD 8.12 million,

Medhufushi Island Resort (Medhufushi Investment): USD 4.29 million,

Palm Beach Island Resort & Spa (Ibrahim Ali Manik): USD 3.89 million,

Kihaa Maldives (Athama Marine International): USD 3.09 million,

Hondaafushi Island Resort (Abdulla Ali): USD 409,575, and

Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat (Thelu Veliga Retreat): USD 316,165.66.

These six resorts, with their combined debt of USD 20.12 million, have also been ordered to hire a certain number of Maldivians as staff, improve working conditions, and improve safety and security in the islands.

At the press conference, Minister Ali Waheed said they disclosed the information in order to make the decision transparent and confirm that there has been no undue influence. While some of these resorts’ stakeholders are top government officials, the Minister said that they will withdraw permissions from any resort that fails to pay its debt before the deadline.

Criticizing the previous administration, Minister Waheed assured that the decision to allow the resorts to begin operations was legal and that while they have given this opportunity to six resorts, they will allow Velidhoo Island Resort to re-open after they come to an agreement with the ministry. He detailed that the ministry has failed to bring all the Velidhoo resort stakeholders together for discussion due to infighting.