President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday stated that thousands of new job opportunities have emerged in the Maldives' tourism industry over the last four years. The President made this remark while speaking at the ceremony held to commemorate the 1st National Tourism Day.
The President stated that 33 new resorts and 471 guesthouses opened in the Maldives between November 17, 2018, and September 20, 2022. He said that these 8,385 rooms or 16,783 beds created thousands of jobs in tourism-related sectors.
As of the end of September 2022, President Solih revealed that the Maldives had 166 resorts, three yacht marinas, 13 hotels, 721 guesthouses, four 'home-stay' guesthouses, 147 tourist vessels, and seven registered bareboat. The President stated that there are currently 57,436 tourist beds in the Maldives.
Highlighting the administration's efforts to expand tourism, the President stated that the administration's policy was to diversify the industry through partnerships with the private sector. He said that the aim was to expand tourism throughout the country, and noted the expansion of Hanimaadhoo Airport, Velana International Airport, and Gan International Airport. He also said that the development of airports, expansion of the seaplane network, and connecting the atolls across the country via Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferries would boost opportunities for island tourism.
First Lady Fazna Ahmed, Vice President Faisal Naseem, prominent government officials, tourism industry pioneers, and leaders of the tourism sector attended the event.
At the event, the President launched the Maldives Tourism Awards and presented awards to six recipients. Vice President Faisal Naseem also presented the awards to recipients.
The President had declared 3rd October as National Tourism Day. The day commemorates the opening of the first resort, Kurumba Village, on Vimanafushi island, Kaafu Atoll, in 1972.
