Author: Mohamed Reehaan
Dhiraagu has announced that customers can now enjoy additional data with upgraded Postpaid Plans. The new upgrades allow customers to receive more data for all the needs including, browsing, streaming, and social media use. The upgraded plans include; Postpaid 550: Customers will receive a total of 20GB data, free SMS, free calls to all Dhiraagu numbers, and 1200 free voice minutes to other local carriers. The plan previously offered 10GB total data, including 5GB social media data with 300 free voice minutes Postpaid 750: Customers will receive a total of 30GB of data, free SMS, free calls to all Dhiraagu…
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced that visitors will no longer be required to make advance bookings to visit the Kudagiri Picnic Island. Now, interested parties may visit the island at any time during the scheduled ferry departure hours without booking; based on a first-come-first serve basis. Despite HDC scrapping the pre-booking option to enter the island, bookings need to be made in advance for hut or room usage. Additionally, the visitors will no longer be charged for travel to the islands on weekends and public holidays. Locals will still need to pay a fee of USD 1.6 per person…
The Bank of Maldives (BML) has decided to cease its envelope depositing services effectively from Wednesday, 01st March 2023. According to the bank, envelopes containing cash or cheques will not be accepted from the scheduled date. The bank also noted that this move was to further promote digital finance among customers. Envelope depositing allowed customers to deposit bills that were not accepted by the machine due to poor quality. It also allowed customers to deposit lower denomination bills; such as MVR 5 or MVR 10. Generally it takes 24 hours, excluding public holidays, for the deposits to be reflected on…
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives exceeded 300,000 in just one and a half months of 2023; according to the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry said that the total tourist arrivals reached 308,367 as of 21st February 2023. This is also a 27.6% increase compared to the same period in 2022, during which arrivals stood at 241,750. Tourist arrivals for the same period in 2021 stood at 164,395. On the other hand, tourist arrivals from 01st to 21st February had reached 135,868; a 23.5% increment compared to the same period in 2022, during which arrivals stood at 109,985. Top 10 Markets…
The Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) announced that it will increase ground handling fees at 6 domestic airports it manages. Domestic airports currently managed by RACL are; Hoarafushi Airport | HA. Atoll Hanimaadhoo Airport | HDh. Atoll Kulhudhuffushi Airport | HDh. Atoll Funadhoo Airport | Sh. Atoll Maavarulu Airport | GDh. Atoll Fuvahmulah Airport | Gn. Atoll RACL charges a ground handling fee from inbound flights for services including cargo and ramp services, rendered between the flight landing and takeoff. Moreover, RACL’s Managing Director Mohamed Rizvy said that the company decided to change the fees since the current fees were…
The Maldives government has spent MVR494.4 million in loan repayment as of 16th February 2023, according to the Ministry of Finance. The state will reportedly spend a total of MVR2.1 billion this year to repay outstanding loans. Moreover, the ministry confirmed that almost 8% of this year’s state budget will be used to repay state loans, which amounts to MVR 5.5 billion. The Maldives government is expected to spend a total of MVR30 billion over the next four years, including 2023. The highest loan repayment to date, which is MVR9 billion, will be made in 2026. Though the government is…
State Trading Organization (STO) and Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO); a sister company of STO, has participated in the Gulf Food Expo to showcase their products. The expo was held at Dubai’s World Trade Center from 20th to 24th February. The Gulf Food Expo is considered among one of the biggest showcasing of food and beverage products in the world. The expo attracts several international food and beverage suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and other key stakeholders of the industry seeking opportunities to enhance their business portfolio, network, and connect with prospective partners. This year’s expo attracted over 5,000 exhibitors from 125…
The Maldives is no stranger to world-renowned tourist resorts, guesthouses, and other notable tourist properties. With an over 50-year hospitality industry that took off in the 70s, the island nation is currently home to over 160 high-end resorts. The country’s hospitality industry is so significant and recognized in the world, that the country has already grabbed WTA’s “World’s Leading Destination” accolade three years in a row. Meanwhile, some of the most notable hospitality brands currently operating in the Maldives include Four Seasons, Hilton, Marriott International, and Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts among several others notable brands. Each year, the island nation…
CROSSROADS Maldives has been awarded the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC) following a recent sustainability audit. CROSSROADS Maldives is the Indian Ocean’s first and only multi-island, integrated leisure destination featuring three award-winning resorts. The resorts include Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and SO/ Maldives set to open in late 2023. The multi-island, integrated tourism destination also features The Marina @ CROSSROADS; a luxury yacht marina, lifestyle area, and culinary experiences. The multi-island destination was developed by S Hotels & Resorts Public Company Limited, the hospitality arm of Singha Estate Public Company Limited, Thailand’s…
A team of journalists from India is currently visiting the Maldives on an invitation from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The team is in the Maldives as part of MMPRC’s continued series of familiarization trips to provide first-hand experience of the country’s hospitality industry. During the trip, the reporters will “immerse themselves in the tourism offers, unique experiences, and exciting encounters awaiting tourists in the Sunny Side of Life”; according to MMPRC. Reporters on the trip represent key Indian media publications such as Indulge Express (NIE), The Sunday Guardian, ET Travel World, and Dainik Jagran. Additionally, the…