Those who were demeaning the country abroad are not hurting the administration, but rather they were causing damage to the Maldivian people, states President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom while speaking at the inauguration of Mercure Hotels Maldives Kooddoo, as part of his current visit to North Huvadhoo Atoll.
Mercure Kooddoo Hotel is a resort hotel developed by Pristine Islands Investment Maldives Private Limited. The hotel is a 68 villa mid-scale resort developed on Kooddoo Island, which is a 50-minute domestic flight south of Male´.
Maldives was a destination for people from all over the world, regardless of their religion or race, President assured while speaking at the ceremony. The administration's desire was for the Maldives to remain a leading host to visitors from all parts of the world. President Yameen said. Highlighting the MoU signed to provide 1000 training and employment opportunities for the youth particularly from North Huvadhoo Atoll, the President noted that the MoU has guaranteed 1000 young people their jobs and necessary training. The MoU was signed between Ministry of Tourism, Pristine Islands Investment Maldives Private Limited and Hotels and Resorts Construction Private Limited.
As a small island nation, the administration was trying relentlessly to engage the country's limited resources to the fullest, so that the administration's pledges were fulfilled, and in turn the people's dreams were achieved, President said while speaking at the function. The President called on the international community to give the Maldives the space it deserved, and not to falsely brand the country as fanatical. He also appealed to all foreign investors to be developmental partners of the Maldives, rather than be critics.
Since 2013 tourism sector has seen transformational changes with the development of many tourism properties, Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer noted while speaking at the ceremony. The Tourism Minister referred to year to year increase in tourist arrivals and expressed confidence that the tourist arrivals will reach the target of 1.7 million by the end of the year.
Mercure Hotels Maldives Kooddoo is the world's first airport resort, Chairman of Hotels and Resorts Construction Mohamed Ali Janah noted while also speaking at the ceremony. Furthermore, Janah highlighted the major investments conducted by the company in North Huvadhoo Atoll, citing that it cost approximately 700 million U.S. dollars. The company is ready to open a second property in the atoll next year, Janah said. He also spoke of the Destination Huvadhoo Project that is to be initiated in the atoll, citing that the project would open over 1000 employment opportunities.
At the ceremony, the President was presented with a plaque of appreciation by Ronald Leo and Mohamed Ali Janah.