Agreements to be cancelled for resorts with unpaid rent

The Ministry of Tourism has decided to cancel the agreements with resorts with unpaid rent.

Tourism Ministry announced this decision via a statement released today, which said that unless the rents are paid by 30 November, the agreements will be cancelled and the islands will be taken over by the government.

“No lease agreements of resorts have been cancelled until now, because tourist resorts act as means of income for many people,” Tourism Ministry informed.

Sun Online understands that notices have so far been sent to Alidhoo Resort, which is operated by Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir’s company Yacht Tours; Kudarah Resort; Filitheyo Resort, which is operated by the family of Bilaydhoo MP Ahmed Hamza; Medhufushi Resort and Zithali Resort.

Tourism Ministry warned that from now on, agreements will be cancelled for resorts that fail to pay rent to the government as per agreements.

Maldives currently has 104 resorts, and the government depends heavily on resorts for funds for operational expenses.