President: Aiming to expand local tourism to all inhabited islands by 2023

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the government aims to expand local tourism ventures such as guesthouses and homestays to all inhabited islands by the year 2023.

Speaking at the ceremony held at Kurumba Maldives Resort last night to launch the official one-year countdown to the 50th Anniversary of the Maldivian tourism industry – President Solih said that his administration envisions to expand tourism across the nation. In this regard, he added that peripheral developmental efforts were underway in order to reach this goal.

“To reach this goal, transport links to all islands must be established. Access to safe drinking water and proper sewerage networks must be there in all islands. Telecommunication services must also be strengthened in the islands,” he had said.

On this note, President Solih highlighted the strides achieved by his administration in the efforts to prioritize the development of such services – such as easy access to land and air transportation, noting the efforts to increase domestic airports with international airports being developed at Addu City and HDh. Hanimaadhoo.

He also mentioned the ‘Integrated National Public Ferry Network’, a high-speed ferry network connecting the islands by sea travel – a project currently underway.

“Efforts are underway to goal to establish water and sewerage networks in all inhabited islands by the end of 2023. Efforts are also underway to establish easy access to internet services on all islands. I think with these development services – local tourism ventures like guesthouses and homestays will be introduced to all islands,” he had said.

Speaking further, the President thanked the pioneers of the tourism industry in the Maldives, as well as tourism industry workers for their contributions to the advancement of the industry.

During his remarks, President Solih also declared October 3 as the National Tourism Day – attributed to the date on which the first-ever resort in the Maldives – Kurumba Village – had opened.