Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The Maldives Virtual Tour Expo concludes successfully. The largest virtual consumer travel fair in the Maldives so far, concluded having reached over 7 million travelers across the globe. Top countries reached through the expo include India, Turkey, Bangladesh, USA, Brazil, Australia, Malaysia among several other key markets. The virtual tour featured over 1,000 virtual tours from 50 different islands in the country. Visitors to the tour also stood a chance of winning a free holiday package to the tropical nation. Additionally, Maldives Virtual Tour collaborated with Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) to give one lucky participant, a grand seaplane tour covering…

Ooredoo Maldives launches a special offer for its “Aachaa” prepaid customers, offering four times more data allowances to existing weekly and monthly packs. The new ‘Aachaa’ prepaid offers customers up to 210GB data for the whole month. The offer also comes with unlimited calls to Ooredoo numbers for MVR750. Customers activating ‘Aachaa’ plans before the end of October will automatically stand a chance to win a trip to watch a World Cup Semi-Final match live in Qatar. Customers will also be eligible for Ooredoo World Cup Foari Weekly Lucky Draw that offers prizes like Samsung Buds, Apple AirPods among several…

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announces seeking applicants for an architectural design competition. The competition is focused on designing the tourism island commercial spine – commercial district of the satellite town. HDC further confirms the competition worth MVR1 million, is open for both local and international applicants. The Commercial Spine, is a new initiative set at the newly developing urban district in Hulhumale’ Phase II. The project includes pedestrian street accommodating all forms of commercial activities. HDC hopes the initiative will attract commercial magnates, locally and regionally. The project covers seven plots of land in a total area of over 300,000…

Domestic airline, Manta Air commences daily chartered flights to Haa Alif Hoarafushi Airport. The arrangement is made under the agreement with JA Manafaru. In a press brief, Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) revealed flights to Haa Alif Hoarafushi commenced effective on Monday, 05th September 2022. This marks first time the airline will operating scheduled chartered flights to an airport managed by RACL. Manta Air will operate two daily flights to the destination on a weekly basis. The inaugural flight of the airline, was welcomed by senior members of RACL and Hoarafushi island council, as well as seniors of JA Manafaru.…

State collects MVR61.5 million in Green Tax for the month of July 2022, reports Ministry of Finance. From the total, state collected MVR61.1 million of the tax from tourist properties exclusive of liveaboards. Green Tax from liveaboards stood at MVR379,932. Highest Green Tax earning (by atolls) for July 2022; Kaafu – MVR22.8 million Alif Dhaal – MVR6.8 million Alif Alif – MVR4.9 million Raa – MVR4.6 million Baa – MVR4.2 million The Green Fund, comprised of revenue collected to state through Green Tax, reported an expenditure of MVR23.9 million for July.

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) commences the mini-bus service in Male’ City, on Monday, 05th September 2022. The services officially commenced at 05:45hrs on Monday morning, with MTCC CEO Adam Azim officiating the service. MTCC confirms the buses will travel free of charge for first two weeks. Following this, fare will be MVR7 with exceptions made for elderly passengers, children below age 3 and students in uniforms. Additionally, people with disabilities can travel for free upon presenting their NSPA cards. Mini buses will operate from 05:45hrs to 00:15hrs weekly. Buses will make stops between 10 to 15 minutes at…

Bank of Maldives (BML) announces opening applications for proposals under its Community Fund. This marks the fund’s third phase for the year 2022. The bank confirms a total of 10 projects will be selected, that will receive MVR50,000 to implement community-centric projects. The projects area in the areas of education, environment, sports and community development. BML further confirms the community fund is open for only registered NGOs. Proposals with supporting documents must be sent to [email protected] before 23:59hrs on 17th October 2022.

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives reach 1,078,635 as of 31st August 2022, reports Ministry of Tourism. According to the state body, tourist arrivals observed a 42.7% increment in annual terms compared to the corresponding period in 2021. Tourist arrivals for the same period in 2021 stood at 755,966. However, this was still 4.9% lower than the corresponding period in 2019. Tourist arrivals for the said period in 2019 stood at 1,134,071. Tourism source markets observed a key change as Russia took second spot, replacing United Kingdom. Source market arrival details are as follows; India – 153,204 Russia – 123,208 UK…

Male’ City, Sunday 04th September – The capital city’s council announced its plans to relocate locally famous flea market (“Neelan Fihaara) elsewhere. While actual reasons have yet to be officiated, council has likely moved forward with the decision to facilitate for the mini-bus service. Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) is gearing up to launch the bus service within Male’ City, for which several major roads are going through parking space alterations. The flea market is a hotspot for enthusiastic back and forth bargaining between vendors and purchasers for used good. The market zone has exceeded its legally allocated zone,…

Ritz-Carlton takes the coveted first rank spot for August, for delivering the highest service charge from any tourist resort. Resort Workers Maldives (RWM) report that the top-end tourist property disbursed a whopping USD1,317 (over MVR20,300) to its staff. Anantara Kihavah Maldives landed second spot with a USD836 disbursement. One & Only Reethi Rah made secured third spot with USD787. Kagi Maldives was listed for disbursing the lowest service charge for the month at USD175. While the list is reflective of data collected based on the consensus and comments from resort industry employees, this is not an official list. According to…