Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Government is currently executing multiple social housing projects; which include mid-range and mixed-residential initiatives. State has contracted two Indian developers to construct 4,000 housing units in Hulhumale’ Phase II. The units will be composed of 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms apartments. Additional to these, six different private sector developers have been contracted to develop housing properties in Hulhumale’ Phase I. The developers include Apollo, RCC, SJ along with Fedo among others. The combined total of these projects is 2,175 housing units, reports Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Subsequently HDC has contracted real estate developers towards the construction of another 1,000 units.…

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives as of 02nd November 2022 has surpassed the annual tourist arrivals recorded in 2021. According to Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals by the review date has reached an annual total of 1,354,828. This indicated a 32.5% annual increment compared with 2021; during which arrival total stood at 1,022,481. However, the arrival count so far in 2022 is still 3.4% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019; during which arrival total had reached 1,402,626. The daily arrival average in annual terms reached 4,428 whereas the average duration of stay is currently 8.1 days in annual terms. Source market…

Male’ City Council unveiled illustrations depicting the planned development of Boduthakurufaanu Magu; the city’s surrounding and outer-most road. The council released four pictures via Twitter, digital renderings of the proposed changes to the route. The developments include date palms running across the full length of the road, from the south side of the city. Date palms are not native to the Maldivian soil, and the pictures show these trees planted in equal distances; lined alongside the harbor sidewalk. Though not grown fully, date palms have been planted from in designated ‘plant boxes’ running the entire length of the road on…

LUX* South Ari Atoll has become the recipient of several awards during October 2022. This luxury-tier tourist resort won two distinct awards at the sixth edition of South Asian Travel Awards (SATA). The resort grabbed “Leading Luxury Resort” and “Leading Eco-Friendly Resort” titles at the event. Maldives won a total of 31 accolades, including the two wins of LUX* South Ari Atoll, at this year’s SATA. Moreover, the property was listed among traveler favorites and received a Traveler’s Choice Award from TripAdivsor. Additionally, LUX* South Ari Atoll was listed among top Indian Ocean properties of 2022 in the Reader’s Choice…

State expenditure has risen to MVR29.4 billion as of 20th October, reports Ministry of Finance. On the other hand, revenues inclusive of grants reached MVR21.6 billion by the review week. With higher spending against earnings, the overall balance for the period is a deficit of MVR7.8 billion. The total tax revenue, in annual terms, reached MVR15.5 billion as of 20th October, while total non-tax revenue by the review date reached MVR5.97 billion. Recurrent expenditure reached MVR21.6 billion, out of which MVR12.3 billion has been spent on administrative and operational expenses of the state. Another MVR8.3 billion has been spent on…

Singapore Airlines announced increasing their passenger carrying capacity to Maldives, bring in an Airbus A350 into operation. The Singapore national airline launched its large commercial craft’s operations to the Maldives Sunday, 30th October. Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) informed flights are scheduled to operate to Maldives on Sundays, Thursdays and Saturdays every week. MACL also confirms the Airbus A350 holds twice the passenger capacity than its contemporaries under Singapore Airlines’ fleet. The airline is currently ranked the Best Airline in Asia of 2022 on Skytrax. Singapore Airlines currently operates two daily flights to Maldives, using Boeing 8-787s. These commercial carriers…

French national carrier, Air France, launches direct flights to the Maldives ahead of the island nation’s tourism peak season. Air France will reportedly operate from Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris to Velana International Airport (VIA). Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) confirms Air France will operate three weekly flights, using their Boeing 737 “Dreamliner” commercial carriers. French national carrier launched their direct flight operations to the Maldives in 2017. It has since then continued to operate to the Maldives route every year during the winter season. Meanwhile, several international carriers have resumed their direct flight operations to the Maldives ahead of…

Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer has announced, on Monday, 31st October, the necessity for a MVR5.8 billion supplementary budget for 2022. The original state budget for 2022 fell short due to surged state expenditure in light of global economic conditions adversely impacting the island nation. Global economy felt the brunt following Russia-Ukraine war that embroiled the region earlier in 2022. Minister Ameer noted on the need for the supplementary budget during Monday’s parliamentary sitting. He addressed the Russia-Ukraine war’s impact, specially driving up global oil prices which was felt in the Maldives; a heavily fuel-reliant nation. Fuel subsidy originally at…

For the sixth time in this decade, Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives has won the Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort title at the World Travel Awards 2022. The award was presented to the resort at the 29th annual WTA. For this win, the team from Lily Beach said, “We are thrilled that the resort has been crowned the Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort, and we would like to thank all our friends of the resort for voting for us. Each guest may come as a stranger but they leave as a friend, and we are always delighted to hear when we…

Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (MNPHI) has awarded two new infrastructural development projects to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). MTCC was awarded the harbor upgrade project in HDh. Neykurendhoo, and the shore protection project in R. Innamaadhoo. Signing took place between the parties on Monday afternoon, 31st October. The Director General of MNPHI Ms. Shana Farooq signed on behalf of the state, while MTCC Chief Operating Officer Mr. Shahid Hussain Musa signed on behalf of the contractor. Harbor upgrade project in Neykurendhoo Project scope includes; Development of 212-meters quay wall block Construction of 166 meters of revetment…