Author: Mohamed Reehaan
The Maldives observes a 14.9% increase in tourist arrivals so far in August compared to the corresponding period in 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The statistics for the most recent review date shows Maldives welcomed 109,415 tourists between August 01 and 17, whereas arrivals for the same duration last year stood at 95,196. The highest daily arrival so far in August fell on August 14 with 7,032 arrivals. On average, in monthly terms, Maldives has welcomed 6,436 visitors so far in August with an average duration of stay of 7.8 days. Top Source Markets China: 184,632 Russia: 139,308…
The Maldives parliament has rejected an emergency motion seeking to halt the current government’s plans to reopen longline fisheries. The emergency motion was submitted to the parliament by the current opposition, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources drafted regulations for yellowfin tuna longline fisheries and opened for public comment earlier. The draft regulation outlines the management of bycatch species such as sharks, while targeted shark fishing is still prohibited. The regulation facilitates for non-targeted bycatch species, sharks included, caught in longline fishing to be processed in specially licensed facilities. The former MDP-led government had banned…
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has announced a ban on Cofsy, a popular cough syrup produced in India, over quality concerns. The authority in a statement on Monday said, that the decision comes following discovery of “particles” found in the syrup. MFDA is currently conducting tests to confirm safety of the medicine. “Therefore, the import, sale and consumption of this medicine is prohibited until this authority runs tests and informs otherwise,” MFDA said. For additional inquiries, MFDA has instructed to contact their hotline 7200321. Cofsy is manufactured by India’s MMC Healthcare Limited. The syrup is a combination medicine…
The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has partnered with Maldivian – the national airline of the country – to strengthen collaboration in enhancing equitable tourism development. MMPRC and Maldivian signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) towards this new partnership, which was signed by the tourism board’s CEO and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shiuree, and the national airline’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Iyas earlier on August 15, 2024. The partnership aims to combine the strengths of both organizations to create “innovative marketing campaigns” and tourism promotion initiative to attract visitors from around the world. Through joint-efforts, the organizations will focus…
The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fliggy, one of China’s leading online travel platforms, to strengthen and amplify the Maldives’ destination presence in the Chinese market. China contributes a large share of annual tourist arrivals to the Maldives, with a little over 168,000 Chinese travelers already visiting the island nation this year. This year also marks the first time since 2019 that China has reclaimed its top source market spot after the country allowed outbound travel following the border closure amid 2020’s Covid pandemic. The new partnership agreement was signed…
The Bank of Maldives (BML) on Sunday reopened applications for ‘Bank Fund’, introduced to empower local NGOs to contribute to their communities through sustainable projects. The ‘Bank Fund’ is opened for registered NGOs, charity organizations and clubs. Applicants will be required to submit the application form and proposal via email at [email protected] before 16:00hrs on September 08, 2024. BML selects five projects in the areas of education, environment, sports, and community development every year and provide to select proposals funding of MVR 200,000 each.
The Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) has announced the Guesthouse Symposium 2024, slated on October 10 at Crossroads Maldives. The symposium will bring together guesthouse owners, industry stakeholders, and experts to talk on various topics, pivotal issues, and tourism trends to shape of crucial policies and insight to help with the development of the local tourism segment. MIB said the symposium will feature panel discussions with the participation of notable and affluent members of the Maldives tourism scene who will share their insights and experiences to form valuable information to assist in the growth of guesthouse operations. Participants will have networking…
Dhiraagu has handed over the prizes to the winners of their Independence Day social media contest. To celebrate the 59th Independence Day of the island nation, Dhiraagu launched a special social media contest aimed to “uplift the Independence Day spirit” within the community. Participants were offered the chance to take part in the contest by sharing their special Independence Day moments with the hashtag #Minivan26 on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Three lucky winners were chosen in the contest, who each won a Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instance Camera and an Instax Mini Instant Film pack. The winners are; Aminath Fazla…
The Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) and Norway’s Flocean have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to commence a feasibility study for the viability of a subsea reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system in the Maldives. MWSC Managing Director Abdul Matheen Mohamed and Flocean’s MD Alexander Fuglesang signed the agreement on behalf of their respective companies. Speaking about the feasibility study, MWSC stated the survey aims to collect technical data to assess the possibility of establishing a subsea desalination system in the Maldives, its projected environmental impact, and the financial projections of the project. Under the agreement, MWSC’s role will…
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is seeking interested parties for the development and operation of boutique hotels in Hulhumale’. To extend equal opportunity to all interested parties, HDC invites proponents to submit expression of interests (EOIs) for the development. Preferred business model for the project is lease model, said HDC, but added that the EOI submitted should not be limited to this model only but must clearly state benefits to both parties regardless of the proposed model. HDC announced that it would proceed with the EOI that best suits the corporation’s vision, strategic objectives and masterplan in case it receives…