Tourism Ministry

Ministry merger sparks fears of environmental oversight collapse

Advocates warn the move could compromise environmental protection.

Ownership transfer halted for islands leased by MMPRC

More than US$90 million paid as resort acquisition fees was stolen.

Maldives tourism rises in July

Europe held the largest market share for the first seven months of 2018.

Maldives tourist arrivals up 10 percent

Europe held the largest regional market share for the first half of 2018.

Free ferry arranged to surf island near Malé

A daily ferry service free of charge from Malé to a nearby island has been arranged for surfers who lost access to the capital’s main surf point with the construction of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge last year.

Audit uncovers discrepancies in tourism ministry’s financial records

The tourism ministry’s audit report for 2013 has revealed shocking discrepancies amounting to more MVR300,000 (US$19,400) in the records of income collected from the billion-dollar Maldivian tourism industry during the financial year in review.

Second hearing in top tourism official’s graft charges postponed

A second hearing in graft charges against Abdulla Ziyath, a tourism official and close associate of former vice president Ahmed Adeeb, was cancelled today because the presiding judge is on leave.

Government’s seizure of Villa’s resort properties unlawful, civil court rules

Shortly after Gasim’s Jumhooree Party formed an alliance with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party in February and launched an anti-government campaign, the tourism ministry terminated the lease agreements of two lagoons and three islands leased to Villa and subsidiary companies for resort development.

Island at center of ‘End Surf Exclusivity’ campaign to become heritage site

The government has terminated a contract to develop a boutique surf resort on the island of Thamburudhoo in Kaafu atoll, and pledged to keep the island open to the public as a “surfing heritage site.”

Tourist arrivals decline in June

Tourist arrivals in June declined by -2.2 percent in June compared to the same period in 2014, but registered a marginal growth of 1.3 percent in the first half of 2015 compared to last year.

Nasandhura to be developed as a 15-storey luxury hotel

Villa Group unable to pay salaries

Government freezes Villa accounts

Tourism ministry moves to freeze Villa accounts

Tourism ministry seizes environment regulatory powers

Gasim’s Villa group bankruptcy imminent

Environment agency head demoted

Gasim’s Villa denied stay order in court battle

Thousands sign petition over resort workers’ pay, conditions

Tourist arrivals reach record high in February