Township project will change Maldivian tourism: Saeed

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has said that Maldives' tourism model will change with the "sustainable township" that will be established in Noonu Atoll which will focus on tourism resources and economic works.

At the inauguration ceremony for the project titled "Ayla Maldives", which will be built at N. Kuramaadhoo, N. Dhekenanfaru and N. Dhigufaru, Saeed said that Maldives' tourism model will be changed so that service can be provided to meet demands. He also said that along with Maldives' "iconic" resorts, guesthouses and projects such as "Ayla Maldives", the quality of services that are given to tourists who come to Maldives will be heightened. 

"On this foundation, we are changing the tourism model of Maldives in order to provide services to meet demand. With the fame of Maldivian tourism and progress of guesthouse tourism, the services that are provided to those who come to Maldives will be heightened with projects such as Ayla Maldives," said Saeed.

Saeed said that those who travel to Maldives will receive new services from Ayla Maldives for health and wellness, education and long-term stays in Maldives.

"With this, Maldives will be seen as not just a place to spend a vacation, it will become something of much higher quality. Maldives will be seen as a place where people can reside, invest and get long-term benefits," said Saeed.

Saeed stated that Ayla Maldives is not only a project, it is a new frame of thinking for establishing Maldivian tourism and building the economy.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the project titled "Ayla Maldives", which will be built at N. Kuramaadhoo, N. Dhekenanfaru and N. Dhigufaru. The ceremony was held on a reclaimed piece of land in the area, with ministers and MP's in attendance.

At the ceremony, Crystal Holdings CEO Petar Krstic said that with Ayla Maldives, he believes that it will bring about an age of investment in Maldives. He also said that Crystal Maldives is proud that Ayla Maldives is the first-of-a-kind project in the nation.

While describing the resources that would be established at Ayla Maldives, Krstic said that a hospitality academy and top-of-the-line medical facility will be included. The hospitality academy will be run in cooperation with a party that provides good quality services, said Krstic.

As envisioned by the latest amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, Crystal Holdings was given permission by the government to invest USD 790 million (MVR 12 billion) in establishing a sustainable township.

At the ceremony, Crystal Holdings showed a video presentation, which includes a real estate business that would allow people to reside in the area for a long period of time. As per the SEZ Act, 60 percent of the electricity will be generated with renewable energy. Modern agricultural resources will also be established as was shown in the presentation.