Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has announced that the participation is now open for the upcoming World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024, taking place from November 05 to 07 at ExCel London. MMPRC promises a multifaceted tourism promotion approach at this year’s WTM London event. As such, the tourism board along with interested industry partners will attempt to establish connections with key UK and international travel trade partners. Interested tourism industry companies are requested to apply via MMPRC’s members portal at members.visitmaldives.com before 13:00hrs on Wednesday, June 26. MMPRC further urged interested companies that the membership renewal/registration…

According to the most recent tourist arrival updates posted by the Ministry of Tourism, Chinese arrivals to the Maldives have exceeded 100,000 as of June 03, 2024. The ministry’s most recent statistical update showed a total of 102,075 arrivals from the Chinese market, which is 11.3% of the total arrivals to the Maldives so far. Russia is still second, though no longer in close competition with China, with 91,618 arrivals so far. The UK is at third place with 85,840 arrivals followed by Italy with 75,648 arrivals. Germany remains in fifth with 73,059 arrivals. The annual tourist arrivals to the…

State Trading Organization (STO) has invited its shareholders for an informal meeting scheduled for June 08, 2024 to discuss on the corporation’s business activities and operations. The shareholder engagement meeting has been scheduled for 11:00hrs on Saturday morning at the 4th floor of STO Trade Center. Interested shareholders, wishing to participate at the engagement meeting are required register before 11:00hrs on June 07, 2024 through portal.sto.mv. Proxy submissions for shareholders are not applicable for the meeting since it is informal, STO added. Shareholders who are aged 16 and above before the date of registration for the meeting, can attend the…

Soneva’s Maldivian properties are aiming to generate close to 50% of their energy needs from photovoltaic (PV) sources. The renewable energy capacity at Soneva Fushi max out at 12% of the resort’s energy load currently. The award-winning sustainable resort operator is gearing up to expand the alternative energy infrastructure on the back of a USD 10 million funding from German’s Aareal Bank, provided in December 2022. Soneva expanded renewable energy infrastructure in both the properties, with the installation of a 2.55 MWp (megawatt peak) panels with a 2.7 MWh (megawatt hours) of battery capacity in Soneva Fushi, and a 2.75…

State Electric Company (STELCO) on Monday, June 03, confirmed attending to over 6,700 customer complaints regarding the recent utility bills. The utility provider launched a customer-complaint window hot in the heels of widespread public criticism owing to the significantly higher bills for May 2024. According to a media official from STELCO, confirming to the WhatsApp channel of local media outlets, the utility provider has received, and subsequently attended to a total of 659 phone calls. In addition to direct calls, STELCO has received a total of 6,135 customer queries and complaints via the hotline’s various mediums – WhatsApp, Viber, and…

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has announced integration of contactless American Express debit and credit cards, as a payment method on RTL services. According to MTCC, customers can now opt to use their contactless AmEx cards on the ‘Tap and Go’ feature provided on Raajje-Transport Link (RTL) buses and ferries operating in the Greater Male’ Area. MTCC said that it introduced the new feature as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure public transportation is more convenient and accessible to everyone. The same has been corroborated by the Bank of Maldives (BML) as well.

The Maldives government has signed a Financing Agreement with the European Union (EU), which would allocate EUR 6.5 million aimed at strengthening the blue economy of the Indian Ocean archipelago. The agreement was signed during the discussion meeting held between the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer and the Deputy Managing Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the European External Action Service Paola Pampaloni, held on Sunday. At the meeting, the two reflected on the significant developments brought forward through the cooperation between the Maldives and the EU. Minister Zameer expressed gratitude for EU’s comprehensive support, offered…

Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, following a recommendation from the cabinet, has resolve to impose a ban on Israeli passports. Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan, announced the state’s latest decision at a Sunday news conference, held at the President’s Office. The cabinet decision includes amending necessary laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the island nation, and establishing a cabinet subcommittee to oversee these efforts. As for the case of the Palestine-Israel issue; President Muizzu decided to appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs. President Muizzu further decided on setting up a fundraising campaign to…

Ooredoo Maldives is expected to host Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha, former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star and Nigerian national team icon, for an official visit to the Maldives. The football icon is set to visit the Maldives from July 01 to 06, as part of a strategic partnership between Ooredoo Maldives and PSG. The telecommunication service provider, plans to make the best out of this visit, including a futsal contest allowing customers to play alongside Okocha. Participants can enter the competition using the hashtag #PSGLegendinMV until June 10, 2024 – and five winners will be randomly selected. Besides this, Ooredoo Maldives…

Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) has announced that voting for the highly anticipated TTM Awards 2024 is now open. Effective Sunday, June 02, 2024, travel trade professionals, travelers, and consumers worldwide are invited to cast their votes for the most outstanding resorts and hotels in the Maldives. The TTM Awards and Gala of 2024 edition will feature an expanded array of award categories, including two new additions, bringing the total to 24 awards to reward and celebrate excellence in the Maldives travel and tourism hospitality industry. Award winners will be selected through a voting process consisting of 30% votes from the…