Author: Mohamed Reehaan

The Maldives Government has recently revealed that Eagle Hills, the developer attached to Rasmale’ development, will first begin constructing 5,000 housing units in Hulhumale’ Urban Isle. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Abdulla Muththalib confirmed this. Information from the government suggests that Eagle Hills is required to undertake this development project in Hulhumale’ before it can engage with Rasmale’ development. The government further said the project will cost an estimate of USD 400 to USD 500 million. Eagle Hills will reportedly develop three-bedroom apartments. The government will fix the prices of these units based on the 10% revenue cut…

Vietnam’s low-cost airline VietJet announces it will begin Maldives route flights between Ho Chi Minh and Male’ City. The airline will reportedly run three weekly flights between the cities on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. VietJet will use its A320 aircraft for the operation. The budget carrier will begin flight operations in December, amid the peak tourism season in the Maldives. Starting from December 5, VietJet will expand its Ho Chi Minh to Colombo route to Male’. The Maldives traditionally observes a notable surge in tourist arrivals from October until February, which happens to coincide with the winter season or colder…

Dhiraagu and Soneva Conservation and Sustainability Maldives (Soneva CSM) announce a strategic partnership to bolster cooperation and assistance in the “Dhirun Community Coral Regeneration Programme” in Baa Atoll Dharavandhoo. The primary objective of this partnership is to lend help and assistance to Dharavandhoo’s local NGO ‘Muraka Farm’. Soneva CSM will extend its experience and expertise towards the initiative. This initiative comes stacked with several components aimed at long-term environmental conservation. Soneva CSM will teach the technical skills necessary for coral reef resuscitation and restoration, training students, interested participants and the general public on restoration techniques using science and modern research.…

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Managing Director Ali Zuhair has made a concerning statement regarding tenant behavior. According to the HDC chief, half of the tenants living across various social housing apartments have not been paying rent regularly. He made these remarks in a programme on state radio, noting that while HDC manages more than 12,000 flats in Hulhumale’, about 50 percent of the tenants have not been paying rent. “Looking at the rent receivables while we manage more than 12,000 flats, we have 50 percent of our tenants not paying their monthly rent dues owing to a range of issues,”…

The Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed is confident the country can match the unprecedented import demands of the Maldives with a modernized harbor by 2028. He made the remarks at the inaugural ceremony of the Maldives Maritime Conference. The Maldives is an import-reliant country that observes a year-on-year increase in its import figures. Such is the country’s reliance on imported goods that statistics from the local customs authority reflect import figures currently tracking at previously unheard-of levels. Despite the surging import figures, the Maldives faces a significant economic setback: the lack of a modern and spacious…

The Maldives government has decided to revise its amendment requiring tour operators to pay Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) just three days after implementation, citing significant industry concerns. The government gazetted the controversial legal amendment on August 31 despite industry-wide concerns, both locally and internationally. The government began taxing according to this amendment on Thursday, last week. Minister of Tourism, Mohamed Ameen announced President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to amend the law to tax foreign tour operators during a ceremony held to mark the Tourism Day. “Several industry stakeholders and travel agents have made formal requests to the President…

The first-ever Maldivian magazine centered on the country’s rich biodiversity has been officially launched. At a ceremony held in Fuvahmulah City, where the magazine’s founder hails from, the biannual magazine was launched by the Managing Director of Pelagic Divers Fuvahmulah, Ahmed Inah. Published in English language, the magazine aims to promote the natural and scenic beauty of the island nation along with its rich history, customs and traditions to a wider global audience. Fuvahmulah-born Yasir Salih, the owner and presumably Managing Editor of the magazine has launched this as a solo venture. The contents of the magazine are categorized into…

MasterChef Sri Lanka will bring its competition to the Maldivian shores in a special episode, touted to feature the local cuisines juxtaposed with beautiful tropical sceneries. According to Visit Maldives, Maldives will “take centre stage” on MasterChef Sri Lanka on October 5 at 22:00hrs on Maldives national television, TVM, with a special destination episode. The special episode will feature Maldivian cuisine, culture and hospitality. This episode comes through the collaboration between Maldives Holiday Collections (MHC Group) and Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) as Official Destination Partner. As Official Destination Partner, Visit Maldives supported the production as part of its efforts to…

The Chinese traveler market remains an important and significant component of the total tourist arrivals to the Maldives. With the boost of the Chinese market, total tourist arrivals to the Maldives has already crossed 1.6 million so far in 2026. Statistics confirm total arrivals at exactly 1,603,021. According to Tourism Ministry statistics, Chinese traveler market has clocked over 300,000 arrivals so far. This marks a 19 percent of the total tourist arrivals to the Maldives. Additionally, this year’s arrival figure of the market stands 14 percent above previous years, which clocked out at 263,599 by year end. China maintains its…

Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM), a subsidiary of the State Trading Organization (STO) Friday confirms the inauguration of a new fuel outlet outside of Greater Male’ region. The nationwide fuel supplier has opened its latest outlet in Noonu Atoll Manadhoo. This addition is a testament to the current administration’s commitment towards easing fuel access to local fishers who both reside in and travel across various parts of the country for their labor. Parent company STO assisted FSM in their efforts to construct and develop this fuel station in Manadhoo. They inaugurated the fuel station in a special ceremony held for the…