Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Several tourism service providers, properties, and operators have paid relevant tax in advance during January to reduce the tax payable at the hiked Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) rates. Tax revenue fell 21% from the projections in February, according to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). The primary reason for this drop is the advance payment of TGST in January, which was expected in February. Maldives government received MVR1.72 billion in taxes in February, which is about 50% lower than the tax income received in January. Tax revenue received in January was 70% higher than projections. Tax revenue stood…

The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) has promoted liveaboards and the dive industry of the Maldives at the Dive MENA Expo 2023. NBAM promoted the Maldives tourism segments at the event through a sponsorship of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The event took place at Dubai Harbour from 01st to 05th March. MMPRC sponsored NBAM’s participation as part of its efforts to support the promotion of local liveaboards and the dive industry in the Maldives. It also said that sponsoring NBAM helped it to create brand awareness for the destination to increase its reach into key…

Ensis Group has begun handing over the high-end flats developed in Hulhumale’ to buyers. Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the agency in charge of all the urban developments in Hulhumale’, said that the first batch of flats has been handed over to the families that will be moving in soon. HDC further claimed that all the flats under the project have not been handed over, and Ensis started with the B-Block flats first. Apartment Details 3+1 bedroom apartments: 45 2+1 bedroom apartments: 26 Single-bedroom apartments: 13 Penthouses: 10 Ensis Group developed a 94-apartment complex under the ‘Aira-Exceptional Living’ high-end housing project.…

The Bank of Maldives (BML) has cautioned customers once again in light of a resurgence in scam calls recently. BML said that recently several individuals have been getting dubious calls claiming they have won flats or apartments. The bank cautioned against such calls, and urged its customers and the public against divulging personal information and banking details. Public Relations Manager, BML, Mohamed Saeed said that current reports state that many have already received calls on the pretext of awarding flats. The caller usually pretends to represent notable agencies or corporations. Saeed also said that cases of unreceived goods from online…

Male’ City Council began installing smart streetlights on the streets of Male’ City on Monday. China’s Yunnan Province donated the streetlights, said the council. The project was inaugurated by the city’s mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Head of Delegation on behalf of Yunnan Province Ma Zuoxin at a ceremony held on Monday evening. Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Wang Lixin was in attendance of the ceremony. According to the council, 10 smart streetlight poles have been installed from the Artificial Beach area to Lonuziyaarai Park. The council further said that it will prioritize installing the lights on the city’s main…

The Civil Court of Maldives on Monday ordered an interim injunction on executing Male’ City Council’s decision to terminate the contract with Ninety-9 Holdings, the previous buggy operator in Vilimale’. The private company filed a lawsuit with Civil Court after the council terminated the contract in August 2022. Ninety-9 Holdings sought a stay order since it had made several investments in the land that was leased to them. Besides terminating the contract, the council had also demanded Ninety-9 hand over the land as well. Civil Court in its verdict said that it was difficult to calculate the damages both City…

Bank of Maldives (BML) has introduced a Self-Service Banking ATM center in R. Inguraidhoo. The new center will support individuals and businesses to withdraw, deposit, and transfer money on a 24/7 basis. With this new establishment, the atoll now has banking services through two branches in Ungoofaaru and Meedhoo, three Self-Service Banking centers in Alifushi, Dhuvaafaru, and now Inguraidhoo. The atoll also has Agent Banking service in each inhabited island without a branch or ATM. BML boasts a nationwide network of 38 branches and service centers across all 20 atolls, 85 Self-Service Banking centers, 141 ATMs, and over 200 agents.…

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives have exceeded 420,000 by mid-March, reported the Ministry of Tourism. According to the ministry’s most recent statistics, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 428,817 tourists as of 13th March 2023, which is a 24.0% increment in annual terms compared to the same period last year. In 2022, tourist arrivals stood at 345,742 by the corresponding period. Meanwhile, tourist arrivals from 01st to 13th March stood at 78,404 which is a 20.7% increment compared to the same duration in 2022, during which arrivals stood at 64,966. Top 10 Markets (as of 13th March) Russia: 53,297…

The Ministry of Tourism has once again urged all registered accommodation facilities to strengthen the safety protocols for all water-based activities. The ministry first gave the reminder on 17th April 2022 and has reminded once again in light of the recent increase in incidents related to water-based activities. The ministry has advised all tourist facilities to be vigilant and take precautionary measures, especially in relation to swimming, snorkeling, diving, and other water-based activities. Moreover, the minister has advised tourist facilities to conduct general safety briefings during guest check-ins. Tourist facilities are also advised to provide a detailed safety briefing before…

Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) is considering to charge an extra for waste collected from the doorstep of residences. The company’s Managing Director Yoosuf Siraj said that WAMCO will begin collecting waste outside of the apartments from April onwards. The decision follows the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology’s move to include waste collection fees in electricity bills. The ministry decided to include the charge in electricity bills since several households do not pay waste collection charges regularly. According to the ministry, out of the 53,000 registered residences, only 20,000 paid the fee regularly. “We have not yet decided the…