Ministry to inspect guesthouses in key Maldives atolls
The ministry is actively pursuing legal action in cases involving unregistered guesthouses.
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Tourism ministry on Wednesday announced plans to conduct a targeted inspection within the next two weeks to identify and address illegal and unregistered guesthouses in key local tourism areas.
The decision follows an appearance by ministry officials before the parliament’s rules committee, where concerns about safety and compliance in the guesthouse sector were discussed.
State tourism minister Ahmed Nazim Mohamed, responding to questions from the committee, outlined the scope and intent of the inspection. Key points included:
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Collaboration with local police to conduct the inspection.
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Inspections will focus on Kaafu Atoll, Alif Alif Atoll, Alif Dhaal Atoll, and Vaavu Atoll.
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Ensuring compliance with safety standards for guesthouse operations.
The decision to conduct the inspections comes amid reports of incidents in guesthouses operating without proper licenses. Last month, a tourist died while snorkelling at a guesthouse in AA. Rasdhoo, which was later found to have an expired license at the time of the incident. Although the license was renewed afterward, the event highlighted regulatory gaps.
A similar incident has also occurred in K. Maafushi.
Nazim noted that only guesthouses officially licensed and registered in the ministry’s database are monitored. In cases where operators do not seek licenses, and there are no complaints or reports from local councils, such establishments remain unregulated by the ministry until incidents bring them to light.
The ministry is actively pursuing legal action in cases involving unregistered guesthouses. Nazim further informed the committee that safety standards regulations, initially issued in 2020, are being revised and re-issued within the next three months. Key points on the current status of the regulations include:
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Regulations first issued on April 17, 2020.
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A six-month window was initially provided to guesthouses.
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Compliance deadlines were extended indefinitely on August 31, 2021.
The updated regulations aim to strengthen safety standards and introduce new sector guidelines, currently in the final draft stage, to enhance the safety and security of tourists. Alongside regulatory updates, the ministry is also collaborating with the health ministry on initiatives such as training residents in guesthouse areas in CPR.
Further measures include integrating resort clinics into the national healthcare system. Previously excluded, this linkage will enable clinic doctors to access guidance during emergencies, thereby improving the support available to tourists in remote areas.
