Govt aims to develop 4,000 beds by Hanimaadhoo airport reopening

Tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal on Wednesday announced that the HDh. Hanimaadhoo International Airport, funded by the Exim Bank of India, is expected to support the addition of 4,000 tourist beds in the region upon its completion.

Faisal provided this information in response to a question raised by MDP MP Hussein Ziyad during a parliamentary session.

Ziyad inquired whether the government plans to increase the number of tourist beds in Haa Dhaalu Atoll once the Hanimaadhoo airport project is completed.

In his response, Faisal stated that the ministry is working to develop approximately 4,000 beds in the area by the time the airport construction is finished, which is scheduled for March.

Faisal shared additional information regarding ongoing tourism development efforts in the region:

Faisal noted that there are currently 460 registered beds in the atoll. Additionally, three more islands in the atoll have been allocated for tourism development, with ongoing projects expected to bring an additional 1,886 beds.

Presently, only two resorts are operational in the atoll: Soneva Secret Resort and Hondaafushi Island Resort.

Faisal indicated that while many islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll were previously designated for resort development, the government is working to open more resorts in the region to meet the demand.