Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has stated the administration is working on bringing the necessary amendments to the Tourism Act to reduce the fees charged to begin homestay tourism in an island.
Speaking at a programme aired on PSM News, Tourism Minister Mausoom stated the license for homestay tourism is first issued to an island, as local councils play a leading role in the newly introduced home stay tourism model. As such, he noted councils play a crucial role in providing information to tourists and establishing the necessary services to tourists on the island.
The tourism minister revealed several island councils have expressed interest to launch homestay tourism. However, the minister noted there are concerns regarding the hefty fees charged to begin homestay tourism. He said the administration is working on bringing the necessary amendments to the relevant laws to reduce this fee and remove the obstacles faced to commence homestay tourism.
Homestay is a popular tourism model where tourists share a residence with a local household in the country they are visiting. The pilot project of homestay tourism in the Maldives was launched in January this year, in Dhiggaru, Meemu Atoll.