Solih administration aims to establish 35,000 tourist beds

The tourism policies of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration will be shaped around spreading the sector across the entire scatter of islands across Maldives.

The incumbent administration's long-term plan projects to introduce 35,000 beds in the tourism sector for the first time.

In an interview with RaajjeMV, Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom revealed that the government plans to ensure the entire nation is beneficial from the tourism industry and that the biggest priority right now, is to introduce feasible tourism across the Maldives, after evaluating the frequency of flights being operated to the northern and southern airports of Maldives.

As such, 8,000 beds will be introduced to Boduthiladhunmathi consisting of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, and Noonu atolls as well as 8,000 beds to the southern zone consisting Addu and Fuvahmulah cities.

These beds will be counted at the newly-opening resorts, tourist establishments that remain unfinished after having been contracted for development, beds allocated through island councils as well as tourist beds at local guesthouses developed by private parties.

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Tourism to RaajjeMV, 80 beds will be introduced through a new resort, ‘Vashugiri’, as well as 100 beds at another new resort, ‘Kagi Resort’.

Further, ‘Kuda Villingili’ which is also a new establishment, will feature 198 beds, alongside ‘Dhigurah’ resort in Noonu atoll which will feature 1,018 tourist beds.

One of the new tourism policies’ aims is also to promote regions in the country where tourism has not progressed over the years, as well as other developing regions.

The ministry also promises that job opportunities will also surge as tourist beds increase across the nation.

As such, job opportunities will be introduced for 10,000 individuals for every 10,000 beds.

The new policy also revolves around the purpose to grant more jobs for Maldivians, in their desired positions and salaries.

With the amendments made to the Employment Act to ensure job opportunities for more Maldivians, positive changes will be observed in job opportunities for locals in the near future, promises the ministry.

The government aims to employ Maldivians at higher ranking position of resorts, in light of which the ministry is collaborating with the private sector, in order to grant managerial positions at resorts, for qualified Maldivians.

Although unqualified, the ministry is also working to employ more locals who are experienced in the sector.

The Solih regime’s new tourism policies revolve around ensuring the involvement of all island communities in the industry, ensuring they benefit from the industry.

As the country’s tourism shapes around these policies and progress, the government aims to increase the rate of locals employed in the sector to 60 percent.