Author: Mohamed Reehaan
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) initiates a series of high-profile roadshows; “Maldives Roadshow in USA and Canada”. The series of roadshows are held under the “effort to maintain destination momentum in the North American market.” USA is one of the top source markets to the Maldives, with an annual arrival total of 52,168 as of 07th September 2022. The roadshows that commenced on 12th September will conclude on 15th September, Wednesday. The series is hosted in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. The roadshows are part of MMPRC’s current strategies to strengthen relations with the US and Canadian…
Banyan Tree Group, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, commences its anniversary celebrations in 2022 with the biggest campaign of the year. The group will launch its “Live Well, Travel Well” campaign from 14th September until 04th October 2022, inviting travelers to its properties across 23 countries to reconnect with the world with 33% savings on stays and spa journeys. Banyan Tree properties are known from its landscapes of pristine nature, with rich history. The groups over 60 properties offer “deep connections to destinations” complemented by “contemporary sensibilities and signature standards.” The “Live Well, Travel Well” campaign will allow…
Maldives government has proposed a solution to the conflict-ridden land use plans of local islands with a partly approval approach. Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mr. Mohamed Aslam confirmed land use plans will now proceed under a phase-based structure. This alleviates the previous approach of entire project approval by the ministry prior to commencement. Minister Aslam made the confirmation at the ongoing ‘Viavathi Raajje’ conference in Laamu atoll. The conference brings together council presidents, WDC heads and other prolific stakeholders from Southern atolls to discuss over an array of topics. The Maldivian Decentralization Act confers island council members…
The rate of inflation, as measured by the annual percentage change in the national Consumer Price Index (CPI), decelerated to 2.5% in July 2022. Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) reports that the rate of inflation went down to its current level from 5.2% in June 2022. Largest contributors to the annual rate of inflation in July 2022 came from fish, petrol, meat, medicine, passenger transport, oil and fats. The monthly percentage change in the national CPI dropped to 0.15% in July 2022 from 0.45% in June.
State earned a total of MVR1.32 billion revenue in August 2022, reports Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). The revenue earned for the review month was a 3.6% increase from the same month in 2021. This increment comes largely from the surge in the collection of TGST, airport development fee and airport service charge. Tourist arrivals in July 2022 saw a 31.2% increment compared to corresponding month last year, which led to favorable outcome in tourism-related receipts (carried forward to August). Moreover, the revenue earned in August 2022 is a 5.9% increment from initial projection as well. This increment comes due…
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday afternoon, 10th September 2022, arrived in Laamu atoll Gan to hold the third ‘Viavathi Raajje’ conference. The conference is hosted by the President to strengthen the decentralization system in light of the previous year’s experience of collaborating with relevant stakeholders. The third conference of ‘Viavathi Raajje’ will reportedly include council mayors, island council presidents, and presidents of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) from southern atolls of the Maldives. The president is accompanied by government ministers, parliament members of southern atolls, policy executives from the President’s Office. Additionally, the delegation also includes technical experts from…
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives exceed 1.1 million by the end of September first week, reports Ministry of Tourism. According to the state body responsible for tourism growth, total tourist arrivals as of 07th September stood at 1,104,488. In annual terms, tourist arrivals is currently at a 40.7% increment against corresponding period in 2021. However, arrival total is still 4.7% below in annual terms compared to the same period in 2019. By the corresponding period in 2019, tourist arrivals had reached 1,159,280. For the first week of September (01st to 07th) tourist arrivals was recorded at 25,854. This marks an…
State expenditure reached MVR24.6 billion as of 01st September 2022, reports Ministry of Finance. Meanwhile, the state revenue inclusive of foreign grants reached MVR18.7 billion. So far, 73% of the budget was spent on recurrent needs while the remaining 27% was spent on capital expenditure. On the other hand, 74% of the earnings came from tax sources while 26% came from non-tax sources. The overall balance for the period is a deficit of MVR5.85 billion. The cumulative total tax revenue is currently at MVR13.8 billion, while non-tax cumulative total is at MVR4.8 billion. Capital receipts are currently at just MVR11.8…
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is offering a special suite package for newly-wed couples and families to indulge in their grand suites. The limited-time offer, valid until 31st March 2023, includes exclusive surprises and benefits – inclusive of breakfast, complementary speedboat transfers from the airport, complimentary 45-minute spa treatment for two adults, once during the stay. Guests can also enjoy 25% on their savings on the best available rates during their holiday. Other amenities range from butler service, welcome drinks, free use of gymnasium, complimentary snorkeling gear, free Wi-Fi up to four devices per villa, and a range of water…
JOALI Maldives opens a reading park and Special Education Needs (SEN) classroom in Raa atoll Ungoofaaru School. The resort donated USD20,000 to finance the educational facilities of the school. Through the funding, the school engaged in developing one of the largest reading parks in the Maldives, inclusive of a ‘Brain Gym.’ The ‘Brain Gym’ is a dedicated space to teaching students games that require challenging the mind; such as puzzle, chess, scrabble and Rubik’s Cube. The games are perfect for stimulating the brains of young minds. Under the project, a new SEN classroom was developed with the aim of enhancing…