Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Four Seasons, the Canada-originated hospitality giant revealed July 19, its first lot of private jet itineraries for 2025. Expertly planned by the Four Seasons team, the inaugural two journeys will take place in Asia and Africa, respectively. Four Seasons described the endeavor “perfect for travelers with kids or tight schedules” and reports the all-inclusive trips are shorter than previous ‘Four Seasons adventures’ and involves minimal travel across time zones. The hospitality giant reports the new private jet trips will run from December 29, 2024 to January 10, 2025. The 13-day African Wonders itinerary covers several remarkable locations which would start…

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih officially inaugurated the new powerhouse developed in Vaavu atoll Thinadhoo. The new powerhouse was developed away from the main settlement in the island to ensure the excess fumes and smoke from the outlet does not create nuisance for the public and tourists. The island’s powerhouse is the first-ever to be taken under State Electric Company’s (STELCO) management after the government began managing powerhouses developed by the public in their respective residential islands. When STELCO took over, the outlet had a single small power generator. However, STELCO procured, assembled and installed larger units shortly after taking over…

The average number of containers cleared by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) in June 2023 saw a 14% decline compared to May 2023. According to MPL, a total of 4,400 containers were cleared from its commercial harbors in the review month. This is equivalent to 6,180 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). From the total containers, 2,620 were 20-footers and 1,780 were 40-footers. Correlating to this decline in the number of containers cleared, the amount of perishables imported via the commercial harbors saw subsequent drops as well. Water imports in June recorded a 16% drop, with 20,554 units imported compared to 24,605 units…

UK-born Nelly Robinson, one of the most sought-after chefs in the Australian culinary scene, is set to join the culinary team at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort this September. Robinson enters a long list of high-profile chefs who have been welcomed by InterContinental Maldives over the past years. The star chef is known for his mouthwatering dishes with innovation and local hooks in his well-accolated restaurant ‘NEL’ in Sydney, Australia. Robinson began his culinary ventures at the ripe age of 15, at Mchelin-starred restaurant Northcote Manor in the UK, where he worked under renowned chef Nigel Haworth. At 22, he was…

The cumulative total of Goods and Services Tax (GST) earnings to the government has reached MVR 7,260.2 million (MVR 7.3 billion) as of July 13, 2023. According to the Ministry of Finance, the highest revenue stream to the state is Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST), reported at MVR 4,983.8 million (MVR 4.98 billion). General Goods and Services Tax (GGST) total has reached MVR 2,276.4 million (MVR 2.3 billion) by the review date. Meanwhile, the cumulative earnings of Import Duties is nearing MVR 2 billion, and is reported at MVR 1,636.0 million (MVR 1.6 billion). Top Tax Revenues TGST: MVR…

The year-to-date expenditure of the government reached MVR 23,587.2 million (MVR 23.6 billion) as of July 13, 2023. According to the Ministry of Finance in their latest fiscal development report, the government has earned MVR 16,967.0 million (MVR 16.97 billion) by the review date. The state has spent 68% of its budget on recurrent needs, and the remaining 32% on capital needs. On the other hand, state earned 75% of its revenue from tax sources and the remaining 25% from non-tax sources. The overall balance for the period is a deficit of MVR 6,620.2 million (MVR 6.6 billion). So far,…

Authentic Maldives, run under the Business Center Corporation (BCC), has announced that it will be expanding its corporate footprint with two new outlets opened outside the Greater Male’ region. BCC’s Head of Outreach, Ibrahim Ziyau confirmed that the corporation is committed to expand its footprint across the Maldives to allow local artisans and craftspeople to showcase and profit from their talent. Ziyau added that BCC was currently in the works to open two new outlets, one in Alifu Alifu atoll Thoddoo and the other in Noonu atoll Maafaru. Before these two, an Authentic Maldives outlet will be opened at the…

Maldives Ministry of Tourism has extended the deadline for the nomination of Maldives Tourism Awards until July 31. The Tourism Awards is conferred to acknowledge milestone achievements, notable contributions, and services of tourism industry stakeholders including individuals, corporations, organizations, and others. The ministry earlier announced that awards will be conferred under 56 distinct categories in the 2023 edition of the awards. A special judging panel has been already formed for the cause. Earlier, the ministry announced nomination deadline until July 16. The announcement and subsequent window for nomination was opened earlier in June. The ministry said it extended the deadline…

The Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) Shahid Ali has assured the company’s employees will be able to live in the housing flats developed in Hulhumale’ Phase II by August’s end. According to the head honcho of MPL, all the ongoing works in the three housing towers will be completed by the following month’s end. He made the confirmation on Saturday, July 15. Besides the assurance of possible August handover, MPL CEO also claimed employees will not be charged monthly rent from the flats from the date of their residency until the end of 2023. Right now, the…

The Maldives on Sunday, July 16, welcomed the country’s one millionth tourist arrival for 2023. This year’s millionth arrival was Anton Pavlov, a British national who arrived on British Airways flight BA061 on Sunday morning. Upon arrival, Pavlov and his family was escorted to the event area with a cultural performance and were welcomed by senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), and Maldives Immigration. While the Maldives has achieved its millionth arrival target in July this year, it had achieved the target in August last year; indicating…