Author: Mohamed Reehaan
Aeroflot proposes to the Maldives government to open discussions to recommence the airline’s operations to the island nation. Earlier, the Russian flagship carrier had interrupted its international operations except for Belarus amid the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia’s civil aviation authority had advised the airline to ground its international operations; specifically foreign-leased aircraft over fears of possible impounding. The airline has revealed its interest in restarting operations to the island nation when it had confirmed recommencing operations to neighboring Sri Lanka. Aeroflot will reportedly start its operations to Lank sometime in April 2022. Prior to the discontinuation of…
The Ministry of Finance on Wednesday urged all employers; public and private sectors, to disburse the Ramadan allowance to workers by Monday, 28th March 2022, the following week. In a circular released by the ministry, it had advised all local employers to disburse a sum of MVR3,000 as Ramadan allowance to each Muslim employee; local or expat. Furthermore, workers officially employed in more than one entity should receive Ramadan allowance from their primary workplace, the ministry’s circular instructed. However, employees on paid leaves during Ramadan and workers on no-pay leaves will not be subjected to the allowance. In addition to…
Radisson Blu Resort Maldives has become the recipient of several accolades at the 2022 Luxury Lifestyle Awards. It was reported that the top-tier holiday destination nabbed wins in the categories of “Best Luxury Island Resort in Maldives” and “Best Luxury Honeymoon Resort in Maldives.” Moreover, this marks the second consecutive year of Radisson Blu receiving recognition from the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, after securing the Best Luxury Hotel in Maldives title in the 2021 edition. Speaking about the international standard hospitality service from the resort, its General Manager Mr. Gavin Sanders said, “Our guests immediately feel the difference as we welcome…
The latest travel figure updates from the Ministry of Tourism indicated that the total number of tourist arrivals as of 16th March 2022 reached 359,272 in annual terms. Meanwhile, the tourist arrivals exclusively from 01st to 16th of March reached 78,500 which is a 39.8% growth when compared with the tourist arrivals for the same period in 2021; which stood at 52,422, and a growth of 32.0% when compared with the corresponding period in 2020; during which the arrival count reached 56,838. However, the arrival total for March so far is still 4.1% below pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, during the…
Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) introduces new award designs with additional award categories for the TTM Awards 2022. According to the organizer, the new design embodies significant elements of the Maldivian archipelago. The new design incorporates varying shades of blue; depicting a lagoon, sea, and the underwater creatures. TTM partners will be able to apply for the awards until 31st May 2022, while resorts can apply for a maximum of 3 categories if they fit the criteria. The award finalists are selected through a voting process, which will consist of 25% votes from the TTM Editorial Team, 25% vote from an…
The latest statistics from the Ministry of Finance confirm that the cumulative total of state expenditures reached MVR5,962.0 million (MVR5.96 billion) as of 10th March 2022. On the other hand, the cumulative total of revenues inclusive of foreign grants reached MVR5,419.1 million (MVR5.4 billion) by the review period. Due to higher state spending in comparison with state earnings, the overall balance for the period observed a deficit that had stretched from the previous week to hit MVR542.9 million. So far, the state has spent 73% of its total budget towards recurrent expenses and the remaining 27% on capital expenses. On…
State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) cautioned the public on Thursday, 17th March 2022, notifying possible power cuts sometime during the late afternoon. According to the utility provider, the power cuts will be the result of maintenance works that will be carried out in various locations in the Maldives capital. STELCO gave the heads-up on Thursday morning, adding that some parts of the city will face power interruptions. Furthermore, STELCO has stated consumers may experience power interruptions between 16:00hrs to 17:00hrs. As per the notification from STELCO, residents living in the Henveiru ward may face power cuts during the said hours.
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has partnered up with Malaysia’s MuBump Media to launch a “cabvertising” campaign from 17th March to 17th May 2022. Through this creative destination advertisement, Maldives will be promoted as a “preferred and safe tourist destination for Malaysia travelers.” Furthermore, this campaign aligns with the Maldives tourism promoter’s strategy targeting Southeast Asian markets. MyBump Media will assist MMPRC in its efforts to maximize the visibility of the island nation’s destination promotion in the market and increase destination awareness to maintain brand presence. The campaign will feature advertisements of the Maldives on at least 30…
The Managing Director of State Electric Company Limited (STELCO), Mr. Ahmed Shareef, on Wednesday, 16th March, confirmed that the employees’ health insurance scheme has been upgraded. According to the utility provider’s front-man, the upgraded schemes are inclusive to employees’ parents as well. Speaking about the new development, Mr. Shareef had emphasized the continued concerns by the corporation’s employees over the schemes failing to ensure insurance for the parents of the employees. Mr. Shareef confirmed that the changes were brought to alleviate the worries of STELCO’s workforce in a collective approach. To achieve this, STELCO had dropped its in-house health insurance…
Maldives Police Service has recommended the public practice caution against scam exchangers. The authority claimed that several community groups on various online texting or chat applications are currently “flooded” by such scammers. According to the Maldivian law enforcement authority, the scammers sell forged currencies. Moreover, Maldives Police had stated that cases of similar nature have been increasing in recent months with many victims lodging complaints with them. US Dollar spiked up following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while the availability of foreign currency in the Maldivian market has become comparatively tedious which has led to many illicit and duplicitous currency exchangers targeting…