Figures show president's 8,000 beds vision improbable
19,078 beds out of a total 49,134 registered tourist beds including resorts, guesthouses, hotels and liveaboard vessels are all registered to Kaafu Atoll.
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By
Aman Haleem
Speaking at the opening ceremony of HA. Utheemu's powerhouse, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that after HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport project is completed, he would endeavour to develop at least 8,000 tourist beds in Thiladhunmathi atoll within five years. The president also said that a plan would be formulated to achieve this goal.
Even though President Solih’s vision has raised developmental hopes for Thiladhunmathi atoll, the past relates a different story. Tourism ministry statistics show that although 8,000 beds have been developed across the country within a period of five years, it has never been possible within the same timeframe in one area.
8,000 beds only in Male region
The highest number of beds developed in the past half a century of Maldivian tourism is in the Male region. According to detailed records up to 2020, 38.8% or 19,078 beds out of a total 49,134 registered tourist beds including resorts, guesthouses, hotels and liveaboard vessels are all registered to Kaafu Atoll.
The highest number of beds in areas other than Kaafu atoll which has the main airport in the Maldives are:
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Kaafu atoll’s closest neighbours; Alifu Alifu and Alif Dhaalu atoll
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Alif Dhaalu atoll - 5,250 beds
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Alifu Alifu atoll - 3,530 beds
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The combination of beds in the two atolls amount to 8,780
In both Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu atolls, there is a total of 869 registered tourist beds which includes beds from three resorts, the only hotel in both atolls and 24 guesthouses.
The president's vision was to develop 8,000 beds excluding these, and in order to do that Thiladdhummathi should:
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develop 34 resorts or 61 hotels or 500 guesthouses to meet the 8,000 beds mark; this is calculated by data-predicting the average beds available at existing locations.
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Assuming that the four resorts currently under development in the two atolls will be completed within the next five years, developing 8,000 beds would still be highly unlikely.
Resorts being developed in Thiladhunmathi atoll are:
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1-
Berinmadhoo
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2-
Velifinolhu
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3-
Dhipparufushi
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4-
Naagoshi
