Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The cumulative state expenditure reached MVR 17.8 billion as of June 20, 2024, reports the Ministry of Finance. So far, the state has earned MVR 15.5 billion in revenues and grants. The overall balance for the period is a deficit of MVR 2.4 billion. The state has earned MVR 12.5 billion in tax revenues, and MVR 2.8 billion in non-tax revenues as of the review date. Comparatively, for the same period last year, state had earned MVR 11.8 billion in tax revenues, but an MVR 4.2 billion in non-tax revenues – indicating that this revenue category has declined noticeably in…

Hong Kong Airlines has achieved a return to pre-pandemic daily flight volumes in the first half of 2024. With the airline expanding its fleet along with introduction of new routes, Hong Kong Airlines plans to increase its pilot workforce by over 10% and cabin crew by 40% within the year. Moreover, to support this growth, the carrier has initiated a series of recruitment events across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and other regions. During its recent flight attendant recruitment event in Bangkok on June 15, the company drew thousands of enthusiastic job seekers looking into starting their careers in aviation. The…

China’s Chongqing Airlines has launched direct flights to the Maldives. The airline’s maiden flight landed at Velana International Airport (VIA) on 15:40hrs on Monday, June 24, carrying 82 passengers. The flight received a water salute, and its passengers were greeted by the Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Wang Lixin, and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL)’s CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, along with senior officials of MACL, MMPRC and MATATO. Besides this, Chongqing Airline’s Vice President Xie Jingping was also present at VIA to greet the arrivals. Chongqing Airline is the fourth airline to…

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, has announced its victory in the Best Wellness Resort competition held during Global Wellness Day 2024. The event, endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism and sponsored by COSMERC, took place on June 08, 2024. The competition saw participation from 73 resorts, with 15 finalists presenting their celebrations to a panel of esteemed judges. The judges included industry experts and representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism. Evaluation criteria focused on the event’s outline, relevance to the #MagentaNature theme, activity engagement, guest interaction, and the quality of event documentation through videos and photos.…

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announces the reclamation of Hulhumale’ Phase 3 resumes. Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMCC) was contracted the reclamation project, to dredge and reclaim a total of 63 hectares of land. So far 23 hectares of land have been reclaimed under the project, that initially began in September last year. The project was put on hold due to the mass coral bleaching event Maldives experienced, and following the subsequent order by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop all ongoing dredging and land reclamation events across the Maldives until further notice. CMCC began reclamation for the remaining…

Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to implement a new policy focused on cost reduction and revenue growth. The policy will aim to reduce the expenses of the state while subsequently enhancing its revenue growth, and a medium-term revenue strategy. The policy decision by the Maldives head of the state follows recommendations from his cabinet. The decision was reached after thorough discussions on a paper presented by the Minister of Finance Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq during the latest cabinet meeting. In addition to this policy implementation, President Dr. Muizzu assigned a cabinet sub-committee to oversee and facilitate efforts aimed at…

The Nautilus Retreat at The Nautilus Maldives has earned a prestigious spot among the most outrageous villas in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024, as voted by readers. This 542-square-meter, two-bedroom private pool residence, is designed as a “sanctuary for family reconnection”. The Retreat embodies a “refined bohemian lifestyle and serves as a true retreat destination” and features a wide, curved, and expansive sundeck with a sleek infinity pool, offering guests “quintessential Maldivian dream”. The Nautilus offers 26 beach and ocean houses and residences, ranging from 300 square meters to nearly 1,000 square meters, catering to the…

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives announces an upgrade on its ‘All-Inclusive’ offer, making it one of the best in the destination known for luxury. Kandooma Maldives is a private island paradise and a top holiday spot for the families and couples alike with almost a quarter of all of its guests choosing the all-inclusive option during their stay at the property. “In a destination where almost everything is imported sometimes it can be a little pricey. We think the newly refreshed all-inclusive offer represents terrific value with great inclusions,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager of the property. “We’ve done our…

The Ministry of Social and Family Development on Sunday, highlighted its more recent efforts of enhancing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The efforts, in line with a regulation on the procedure of enhancing employment opportunities to persons with disabilities, are part of government’s comprehensive plan to encourage an inclusive society, rid social stigma and discrimination aimed generally towards the specially abled. Earlier in March, the ministry signed an MoU with three properties under the Hilton brand in the Maldives – which include Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, and Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort and Spa. Under the…

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives has reached a total of 981,070, a 10.2% increment this year compared to the same period in 2023. Arrivals on a year-to-date basis stood at 890,363 in the same period last year. From June 01 to 22, tourist arrivals to the Maldives stood at 88,825 – a 9.5% increment compared to the same period last year. Arrivals from June 01 to 22, 2023 stood at 81,119. Top 10 Markets China – 113,702 Russia – 100,677 UK – 91,032 Italy – 78,515 Germany – 76,324 India – 61,052 USA – 35,120 France – 33,362 Switzerland -…