The islandchief

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Frankly Speaking

We are at the end of the fiscal year and the tourism industry has been continuously talking about the growth and shortage of rooms for the New Year period, as well as unavailability of parking slots for aircrafts. Amidst current demand for tourism, the black market for United States dollar has skyrocketed over the past few days. Are we heading into a similar crisis as our neighboring countries are facing?

PUBLISHED January 06, 2022

The Maldives with more territorial sea than dry land depend on resources almost entirely from the sea. The coral reefs, which built the country, play a vital role in the economic and social well-being of the country. Today, we are exposed to the risks of intensifying weather events, and with future sea levels projected to increase in the range of 10 to 100 centimeters by the year 2100, the entire country could be submerged. Whilst many resorts across the industry have initiated its own coral regeneration programs and similar projects, our calls for help at many climates change conferences have not received adequate attention. What are your views on emphasizing for help from our visitors?

PUBLISHED December 09, 2021

India has contributed in numbers for tourist arrivals since the re-opening. Every Indian Celebrity has spent their vacation in Maldives. Social medias overwhelmed with pictures and posts. However, India’s largest film industry still haven’t chosen Maldives as a reasonable destination for movie shoots and big events such as IIFA, Filmfare etc, what can we do as a destination to capture that market? What’s lacking and what are the challenges?

PUBLISHED November 06, 2021

Tourism in the Southernmost tip of the Maldives have been one of the oldest, yet challenged in terms of growth and development- especially with two partially state-owned resorts that have not been in operation. What is your take in overcoming this decades-old obstacle and solution to develop tourism in the Southernmost islands, whilst transforming it to the country’s second hub for tourists?

PUBLISHED October 01, 2021

What immediate changes are needed to establish a demand for direct flights to operate to airports outside Velana International Airport in Maldives? What is your take on the issue here: is it held back due to lack of infrastructure of other airports or has there not been adequate interest raised by the industry?

PUBLISHED September 01, 2021