Over the past week, 10 more tourist accommodation establishments reopened doors to tourists across the Maldives.
The latest weekly statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism on Friday revealed that the total operational capacity of tourist accommodation establishments across Maldives has risen to 963, including 162 resorts, 640 guesthouses, 12 hotels and 149 liveaboard vessels.
As such, between March 2 – 9, one liveaboard vessel and nine guesthouses had resumed operations across the nation.
The nine guesthouses that resumed operations are:
- One in Nolhivaranfaru island of Haa Dhaal atoll
- One in Funadhoo island of Shaviyani atoll
- One in Dhiffushi island of Kaafu atoll
- One in Huraa island of Kaafu atoll
- One in Bodufulhadhoo island of Alif Alif atoll
- One in Thoddoo island of Alif Alif atoll
- One in Dhigurah island of Alif Dhaal atoll
- One in Hangnaameedhoo island of Alif Dhaal atoll
- One in Nilandhoo island of Faafu atoll.
The number of operational beds increased to 54,340 as well, of which 38,822 are in resorts, 1,916 are in hotels, 11,174 are in guesthouses and 2,920 are in safari vessels.
Maldives currently has a capacity of 1,172 tourist facilities which include 152 safari vessels, 851 hotels and guesthouses and 168 resorts. This means that of the total facility-capacity, three safari vessels, six resorts, 200 guesthouses and hotels are yet to resume operations.
Guesthouses currently in operation are:
- 13 guesthouses in three islands of Haa Alif atoll,
- Nine guesthouses in three islands of Haa Dhaal atoll,
- Four guesthouses in four islands of Shaviyani atoll,
- Six guesthouses in three islands of Noonu atoll,
- Two guesthouses in two islands of Raa atoll,
- 40 guesthouses in 12 islands of Baa atoll,
- Four guesthouses in four islands of Lhaviyani atoll,
- 246 guesthouses in 10 islands of Kaafu atoll,
- 124 guesthouses in eight islands of Alif Alif atoll,
- 72 guesthouses in nine islands of Alif Dhaal atoll,
- 50 guesthouses in five islands of Vaavu atoll,
- Four guesthouses in four islands of Meemu atoll,
- Eight guesthouses in two islands of Faafu atoll,
- Four guesthouses in four islands of Dhaalu atoll,
- Five guesthouses in four islands of Thaa atoll,
- Three guesthouses in one island of Laamu atoll,
- Seven guesthouses in six islands of Gaaf Alif atoll,
- Six guesthouses in four islands of Gaaf Dhaal atoll,
- 20 guesthouses in Fuvahmulah City,
- 13 guesthouses in six districts of Addu City in Seenu atoll
The ministry on January 1 facilitated the introduction of Homestay in the Maldives as well, with the first of its kind launched in Dhiggaru island of Meemu atoll. This comes under the president’s tourism development vision and policy to make tourism and its benefits to the island communities, accessible.
Nearly four months since borders were closed, Maldives reopened borders on 15 July 2020 and at first, resorts and liveaboard vessels were given the green light to begin operations. Guesthouses outside of the Greater Malé Region were permitted to resume operations on 15 October 2020. Authorities allowed the reopening of guesthouses in the capital region on 14 December 2020.
