Gov’t policies in tourism sector are effective and efficient- Pres

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that more than 900,000 tourists visited the Maldives last year, which is an increment of 21% compared to arrivals the previous year. He said that this is interpreted as the effectiveness and efficiency of the government policies in the tourism sector.

Delivering the Presidential Address at the first sitting of the People’s Majlis for this year, the President said that Laamu Atoll has been selected as the zone, providing accommodation of 3 and 4 star qualities to facilitate the greatest possible number of tourists to visit various parts of the Maldives. He also said that the Integrated Tourism Development Zone being developed on the island of Gan in Laamu Atoll, would initiate many new economic opportunities as a result of mid-market tourism in the region.

“The region will also be opened for the construction of two hotels in the mid-market category of 3 and 4 star qualities, and for allocating and dispensing land to private investors who wish to run guest houses. To enable this, discussions and preparations are underway between the Ministry of Tourism and the people of the Laamu Atoll region. Mid-market zones are planned to be established in other regions of the country as well,” the President said.

President Nasheed also said that Malaysia Airports Holdings and India G.M.R Group were contracted last year, to develop the airport and to handle the management and administration more effectively in order to expand the services offered at the Male’ International Airport.

“As you would know, increasing the number of passengers to the Maldives is only possible with the development of Male’ International Airport. This will augment the flow of foreign currency into the country,” he said.

In his Presidential Address, the President also noted that the groundwork of the land reclamation and the building of airport in Kolhumadulu Thimarafushi were initiated last year. He said that this would introduce even greater opportunities to all the islands in the region, and multiply economic activities.

“The construction of an airport in Fuvahmulah is underway and the airport in Baa Atoll Dharavandhoo is likely to reach the stage of completion by the end of 2012,” he said.

In order to standardize and develop Gan International Airport in Addu Atoll to international standards under a joint venture enterprise, a contract was signed between STO, Maldives Airports Company Limited and Gan Airport Company Limited last year, the President said.

He said that the culmination of this project to turn Gan into a fine international airport would expose the Southern part of the Maldives to tourism even more and be a tremendous step in allowing greater expansion for an improved flow of visitors.