Ministry of Tourism has predicted growth in the local tourism industry in the next five years.
Teams from the tourism ministry are visiting islands as part of its Tourism Diversification and Localisation tour. During their visits, the teams are meeting members of the island councils and women's development committees (WDCs) as well as industry stakeholders.
Speaking to PSM News, Senior Executive Director Ali Razzan said teams will be visiting 189 islands as part of the tour and meet with island councils, WDCs, and stakeholders. Razzan said the teams are visiting islands in Haa Alifu Atoll in the first leg of the tour to inquire on the progress of the work being conducted on the plots of land leased for tourism. He said the teams will also gather information on the opinions of island residents in regards to the work to develop local tourism as well as the land-use plan. He said all inhabited islands will be able to develop local tourism entities and profit from businesses. He predicted the local tourism industry will experience growth in the next five years.
Statistics from the tourism ministry show around 504 guesthouses are currently in operation in the Maldives.