Housing to be developed in tourism zones, says president

President Mohamed Muizzu said on Tuesday that housing projects will be developed in densely populated islands near resorts or within tourism zones, as part of efforts to support young people working in the tourism sector.

The president made the remarks at a youth forum titled Coffee with Youth, where he discussed issues affecting young people and outlined policy measures aimed at improving access to employment and housing.

Muizzu said young graduates face challenges entering the tourism sector and that access to employment is improved when work opportunities are located close to their home islands or nearby resorts. He said housing plays a key role in enabling this transition.

Under the plan, housing projects will be implemented in islands with larger populations located near resorts or within designated tourism zones. The president said this would allow young people to live closer to their families while pursuing employment in tourism.

“Not everyone needs to apply for housing in the Malé area,” he said, adding that housing constraints remain a major barrier to youth participation in development. He said housing projects should be expanded beyond the Malé region.

Muizzu said housing projects for tourism employees were included in his presidential pledges and that a separate allocation category would be reserved for those working in the tourism sector.

He also said that more than 800 housing units were awarded in projects across several islands last month, with a portion of those units to be allocated to tourism sector employees based in those islands.