Author: Mohamed Reehaan
According to Ministry of Finance, the cumulative total of state expenditure has reached MVR26,901.1 million (MVR26.9 billion) as of 18th November 2021. Meanwhile, the cumulative total of state revenues inclusive of foreign grants by the review period had reached MVR16,837.4 million (MVR16.8 billion). During the review period, the strongest earning streams to the state were tax sources such as TGST, GGST and BPT. As such state had earned 73% of the total revenues through tax sources while the remaining 27% of the revenues came from non-tax sources. Moreover, the overall balance for the period is a deficit of MVR10,063.7 million…
The American Express Travel Impressions has launched a brand new destination promotional campaign, marketing the Maldives to affluent travelers of German and Austrian markets. Moreover, under the destination promotion campaign information brochures marketing the island nation will be circulated among the affluent cardholders of American Express, starting effectively from 26th November. Furthermore, the campaign with American Express targets 4,500 Centurion cardholders in the German and Austrian markets by “mailing exclusive Maldives destination brochure featuring various, luxury properties directly” to the cardholders. Centurion cardholders are the highest tier spenders for the credit card firm, while becoming a member of this tier…
MIAT Mongolian Airlines commence their charter flight operations to the Maldives, officially making their maiden voyage on Wednesday, 24th November 2021. Though the maiden flight from the airline landed at Velana International Airport (VIA) on Wednesday, regular charter flight operations of the carrier will officially commence on 27th December and run through 31st March 2022. Moreover, reports confirm the Wednesday’s MIAT Mongolian flight had carried the country’s travel industry affiliates including tour operators, travel bloggers and other prominent media personnel.
The government of Japan has provided with a grant aid worth JPY8,173,332 (approximately MVR1,166,970) towards the development of a local school in Gaaf Alif atoll. Moreover, the Maldives government confirms that Japan’s grant aid will be put towards the upgrading of Nilandhoo School in Gaaf Alif atoll Nilandhoo. The aid is part of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme. The agreement was signed between Ms. Yanai Keiko, the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives and Ms. Khadheeja Ibrahim, the Principal of Nilandhoo School during a ceremony held on Wednesday, 24th November 2021. According to the…
Agoda, one of the fastest growing online travel booking platforms, has signed an associate partnership agreement with Maldives Border Miles, the world’s first destination loyalty program for tourists. The online signing ceremony between Agoda and Maldives Border Miles took place on Wednesday, 24th November 2021. Moreover, the online signing ceremony was honored by the Controller General of Maldives Immigration Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Hussain along with Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dr. Naushad Mohamed and the Chief Executive Officer of Agoda Company Pte. Ltd., Mr. John Brown. In addition to this the ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Managing Director of…
Seaside Finolhu announces an exciting line-up of activities for the festive season, which will commence on 21st December 2021. According to the luxury tourist resort, the activities have been made for everyone from couples to families and groups of friends traveling for their year-end vacations. As such the seasonal activities will begin on the beach with cocktails and a toast to the lively Festive Tree Lighting. Other activities include a Festive Cocktail Party and a Kids and Teens Fashion Show followed with a Festive Night Feast at the Beach Kitchen. Moreover, the festive season activities also include a special lunch…
Seven properties of the Marriott International in the Maldives have signed on a memorandum of understanding with Maldives National University. The MoU signifies the strengthening relations between Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) of the national university and tourism industry stakeholders towards human capacity development. “We are honored to collaborate with The Maldives National University and be a part of the journey as the students begin and grow their careers in the thriving hospitality industry in the Maldives. Marriott International values and believes in the substance of learning and training – beyond what we do, we are committed to…
The first vessel acquired by Maldives State Shipping (MSS), a subsidiary of State Trading Organization (STO), berthed at the port of Male’ City on Tuesday, 23rd November. Titled MSS Galena, which is the first cargo ship under the state-owned enterprise arrived in Male’ City with full cargo. Earlier, the vessel transported to neighboring Sri Lank on 30th October for rebranding purposes, and was berthed at Sri Lanka’s main dockyard. Moreover, MSS confirms that the crew members of MSS Galena will be 99% locals. Although MSS Galena is the first cargo vessel to be fully acquired by the shipping wing of…
Vakkaru Maldives, the recently voted Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort in this year’s World Travel Awards, have unveiled new experiences and upgraded facilities for 2022. Moreover, the resort will reportedly add a padel tennis court which is slated to open in coming December. In addition to this, the resort will unveil its brand-new “sunset-facing” yoga pavilion, the Merana Spa, in mid-December. Furthermore, Vakkaru Maldives will be expanding its culinary experiences with new additions to the menu on one of its popular food outlets; Lagoon Bar. The resort’s Organic Farm will have newly installed dining table seating up to ten guests simultaneously.…
Milaidhoo Maldives has been recognized as the ‘Best for Green Practices & Sustainability’ luxury resort by the annual Conde Nast Johansens Award for Excellence. Moreover, the boutique luxury resort was named for its green practices and sustainable tourism owing to its efforts to protect and preserve the surrounding environment as well as maintaining the pristine natural beauty of the island’s house reef. Situated in the UNESCO Biosphere reserve in Baa atoll, Milaidhoo Maldives is a relatively small boutique resort and lies close to Hanifaru Bay; one of the most popular dive sites in the country.