Maldives is no longer interested in expanding tourism, says president
The Maldivian government is no longer interested in expanding its luxury tourism sector because of the large number of islands and lagoons leased out in a recent corruption scandal, President Abdulla Yameen has said.
11 May 2016, 9:00 AM
The Maldivian government is no longer interested in expanding its luxury tourism sector owing to the leasing of scores of islands and lagoons in a recent corruption scandal, President Abdulla Yameen has said.
He was responding to a request by the island of Maavah in Laamu Atoll to bring tourism to the area.
“I am saying that we do not have interest in expanding tourism. Because so many lagoons and islands have been leased, in a manner that is embarrassing to the Maldivian government. The government has been humiliated and has had to answer for this,” he said Monday.
Some 59 properties, including islands, lagoons, and plots of land were fraudulently leased out for tourism since Yameen assumed power in 2013, an audit report has revealed. A staggering US$80million paid as acquisition fees for the properties was meanwhile stolen from state coffers.
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