Tourism Minister: North will have 3,700 beds within next three years

Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, on Tuesday, has stated that 3,700 beds will be developed in northern Maldives within the span of the next three years.

At Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef posed a question to the Tourism Minister regarding the Ministry’s efforts to increase the bed capacity in northern Maldives – in light of the Hanimaadhoo Airport development project underway which is expected to boost tourism in the region.

Responding to the question – Minister Mausoom said that 8,000 beds are required in the north to successfully operate the airport.

He noted that 1,724 beds are already registered in Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu and Shaviyani Atolls to date including resorts, hotels and guesthouses – of which 1,524 are currently in operation. Minister Mausoom added that phase one of HDh. Dhipparufushi and HDh. Naagoshi will open within the next two years.

In addition to this, the Minister said that HA. Berinmadhoo, Sh. Hurasfaru, Naainfaru, and Kanbaalifalhu are expected to open within the next three years.

“With these, 1,360 is likely to be brought into operation,” he added.

The aim to develop 8,000 beds in northern Maldives was revealed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during last September. One of the biggest obstructions to developing tourism in northern atolls is the lack of transportation means, as a result of which tourists incur a hefty amount of money to travel to the north.

However, the development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport is expected to boost tourism in the region, and effectively will eliminate obstructions to travel to the region as per the government. The development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport has been awarded to India’s JMC Projects Limited for MVR 2.1 billion.

Speaking further, Minister Mausoom emphasized on the importance of a transportation system in the north alongside the airport – naming the RTL ferry service in place.

He noted that Hanimaadhoo International Airport will be able to serve 1,780 passengers daily at full capacity. Estimating 300 daily arrivals within the first year, Minister Mausoom said existing bed capacity will suffice for this.