President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a significant boost to the Maldives' tourism infrastructure, revealing that 6,223 new beds have been added to the nation's tourism capacity since his administration took office in November 2023.
Speaking at a ceremony held on Monday to mark his government’s two-year anniversary, President Dr Muizzu underscored his administration's vigorous commitment to developing tourism, the linchpin of the Maldivian economy.
The President highlighted the sector's robust performance, noting that the Maldives welcomed a record two million tourists last year, with projections indicating an even higher influx for the current year.
He emphasised the strategic focus on increasing bed capacity to accommodate this escalating demand.
"A lot of work has been done to increase bed capacity and we have seen the rewards of these efforts,” he said, detailing that 2,995 beds have been registered this year alone, contributing to the cumulative figure of 6,223 new beds within his government's two-year tenure.
In a bid to diversify and expand tourism offerings, particularly in underdeveloped regions, the President shared updates on key projects. He confirmed that the re-opening of the Shangri-La resort in Addu City is progressing at a swift pace, with the operating company expressing renewed confidence in the venture's success.
Additionally, competitive bids have been submitted by investors for concessions aimed at developing tourism in previously underserved areas across the archipelago, aligning with the government's broader strategy for equitable tourism growth.