Ministry of Tourism has permitted 47 liveaboards to resume operations in the Maldives.
Resorts and liveaboards have been allowed to resume services in the Maldives following the reopening of borders on July 15. However, liveaboards require a special permission from the tourism ministry before resuming operations in order to ensure the vessels meet the safety standards set following the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism ministry revealed 47 liveaboards have been permitted to resume operations after fulfilling the safety criteria set by the ministry.
In addition, the tourism ministry has also permitted 13 establishments to operate as transit hotels for tourists. This includes 7 hotels in Male’, 5 hotels in Hulhumale’ and the Hulhule’ Island Hotel (HIH).
Since borders were reopened on July 15, 67 resorts have resumed operations in the Maldives. However, apart from the establishments permitted to operate as transit hotels, local guesthouses and hotels have not yet been permitted to resume operations.
The government of the Maldives aims to record 850,000 tourist arrivals by the end of the year. The tourism ministry and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) have been undertaking efforts to promote the Maldives as a safe destination for tourists.