Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated it is investigating several cases of bringing in tourists to the Maldives on fake bookings.
With the increase in tourist arrivals in the Maldives in the last few months, there has been an increasing number of cases where tourists are brought in to the Maldives on fake bookings and forced to stay in local households. MPS stated it is currently conducting an investigation into multiple similar cases, but did not provide any further details.
Meanwhile, Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Ahmed Hussain has recently said changes are being brought to the Immigration system to prevent tourists from being brought in on fake bookings. Noting some individuals are exploiting some of the leniencies provided in the system, the controller said the changes will strengthen the monitoring mechanisms of the system. He said the changes will help to detect those who are responsible for the fake bookings.
Last week, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih revealed that the government had initiated an inspection programme of guesthouses and tour operations to ensure that tourists who choose to transit in the Maldives are being treated fairly and that the mandated COVID-19 control measures were being implemented strictly. The president said it would be a tremendous setback to lose control of COVID-19 in the Maldives again. He called on all guesthouse owners and tour agents to strictly maintain COVID-19 control measures and take all necessary precautions to prevent community spread.