A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
In a noteworthy move, the Ministry of Tourism has today reduced significantly the penalty payable in respect of delayed lease rent payments. This policy change is reflected in the 4th Amendment to the Tourist Resorts, Tourist Hotels, Tourist Guesthouses (Payment of Lease Rent) Regulations. The thrust of the amendment is that it has altered the penalty […]
The island nation of Maldives reopened its borders to international tourists on 15th July 2020, after 3 months of a halt in tourism. Within 17 days of reopening borders, the popular destination received over 1700 tourists from around the world. In fact, on the very first day itself, the Maldives welcomed a total of 80 […]
When you go to your favourite restaurant, have you ever wondered who was the talented person who made the dish? In the Maldives, we see very few local chefs and it’s time to figure out why this is the case. Mohamed Adam, commonly known as ‘Chef Mode’, is one of the most talented cooks in […]
According to Olialia World, The Maldives Government shortlisted Olialia to build, operate and transfer Olialia International Airport Maldives for 50 years. However, the Deputy Minister at Maldives Tourism Ministry has declared that no such agreement has been done by the Ministry. Olialia announced on their website (www.olialia.com) that the International Airport shall be developed on […]
Moosa Nasih, former President of the Guesthouse Association of Maldives (GAM) has questioned the present government’s promise to develop the local island tourism in the Maldives. According to his statement, the bookings made in guesthouses for August is being cancelled and even the future bookings are being changed to other destinations. As per the Guidelines […]
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced that the Maldives opened its borders after ensuring the welfare of tourists and that the Maldives is most possibly the safest destination. In the virtual conference held on Independence Day by the foreign minister Abdulla Shahid to meet the diplomats abroad, the president stated that Independence Day fell at […]
Photo credits: Transparency Mv Mohamed Naseem, the Managing Director at Business Development Service Pvt ltd, called upon the leading companies in the tourism industry of Maldives to launch a project, planting one million coconut trees across the Maldives. “We need your help to safeguard food security plus environment,” read his statement. Photo credits: Human Rights […]
Guesthouse Association of the Maldives (GAM) has expressed the associations’ concern regarding the delay in the reopening of guesthouses. A statement released by GAM states that the delay was applying salt on the wounds of the already strained guesthouse industry facing financial difficulties due to COVID-19. In the tourism recommencement guideline issued by the government […]
Maldives has experienced its first tourist COVID-19 case as a tourist that arrived in the Maldives on 26th July 2020, tested positive for COVID-19. This is reportedly the first time a tourist has been tested positive for the virus since the borders of the country reopened on July 15. Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) Spokesperson […]