Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has revealed that the government aims to increase the revenue generated through the tourism industry to USD 7 billion, during this tenure.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Minister Faisal reiterated the government’s goal of boosting the revenue generated from tourism. The tourism industry contributes the greatest portion of the state revenue. The Minister stated that the government has adopted plans to boost the revenue to USD 7 billion, adding that efforts are also underway to increase tourist arrivals to four million annually.
Furthermore, Minister Faisal emphasised the efforts to increase the tourist arrival from China and India. He said that while over 200,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives, the aim is to increase the number of tourists welcomed from China to 300,000, breaking the 2019 record. In 2019, the Maldives welcomed a total of 284,000 tourists from China. This represents the largest influx of tourists from the Chinese market to date.
While arrivals from India was lower than average for the year, arrivals from India have increased in the past few weeks. Minister Faisal expressed optimism that this trend will continue during the upcoming high season.
Gov’t aims to increase revenue from tourism to USD 7 billion
“Maldives College of Nationalism will work to maintain records of history”
Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim has stated that the College of Nationalism, known as “Dhivehi Qaumiyyathuge Isvaru”, will primarily focus on ensuring the maintenance of the history records of the Maldives.
The College of Nationalism was inaugurated on September 4, in the ceremony held to mark the National Day. The college was inaugurated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Adam Naseer stated that the college’s main works will include recording the progress made by Maldivians in various areas linked with nationalism. The Minister assured that the necessary documents related to this will be prepared by the college as well. The college will focus on five key areas, including, Dhivehi language, history, digital technology, heritage, and art.
The establishment of the College of Nationalism, is part of the government’s broader efforts to revive and promote nationalism. Minister Adam Naseer also disclosed that the college will undertake research on the identity and history of the Maldives.
Grand celebrations for 900th anniversary of the day Maldives Embraced Islam
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has decided that the 900th anniversary of the Maldives’ conversion to Islam will be celebrated in a grand and colorful manner. The announcement was made by Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture, and Heritage, Adam Naseer Ibrahim, during an interview with PSM News.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Adam Naseer emphasised that the 900th anniversary will be a momentous occasion in the country’s history. He highlighted that the Maldives will celebrate a millennium of following Islam under the guidance of the faith. He also reiterated that the 900th anniversary will be marked with vibrant celebrations, noting that the countdown to this milestone has now officially begun.
This year marks the 898th anniversary of the Maldives’ conversion to Islam, with the 900th anniversary set to be celebrated in 2026. The Maldives converted to Islam 800 years ago, and the 2nd of Rabi’ul Aakhir is observed annually to commemorate this event. The official observance of the day began in 1374 AH and continued for 14 years before a pause. Since 1421 AH, the Maldives has resumed celebrating this historic occasion each year.
Fuvahmulah City Council launches pilot project to test smart street lighting
The Fuvahmulah City Council has announced the launch of a pilot project to test the conversion of street and public lights to smart lighting, aiming to modernise and enhance the city’s infrastructure.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to transform Fuvahmulah into a more technology-driven, eco-friendly city. Through the initiative, the city will implement smart lighting, enabling remote control of street and public lights, allowing for efficient management, including turning lights on and off and detecting any issues. So far, two streetlights and four playing fields (with 20 lights) have been converted to smart lighting in Fuvahmulah.
Mayor of Fuvahmulah City Ismail Rafeeq noted that these smart lights will be more environmentally friendly than traditional streetlights and are projected to save between USD 65,000 and USD 130,000 annually, significantly reducing the city’s lighting costs. After the testing phase, the city plans to fully switch to smart lighting starting next year, with a goal of completing the transition within two years.
The Fuvahmulah City Council said that the project initially started with its own budget but will rely on donor funding in the future. In addition, 95 percent of the services offered by the council are now available online to improve accessibility. The “Afun City” portal has been launched to facilitate communication regarding municipal services, and another portal, “Afun Ado,” has been introduced to encourage public engagement in city affairs. These efforts align with the council’s broader vision to transform Fuvahmulah into a smart city.
Fisheries Ministry to develop lobster fishery sustainably
The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has introduced a new plan to develop the lobster fishery in an environmentally sustainable way.
The Fisheries Ministry’s plan focuses on fostering sustainable growth in the lobster fishery, as part of its broader efforts to enhance the fishing sector in the Maldives.
The Ministry said that the plan is centered on four key objectives. These objectives include ensuring that lobster fishing and related activities align with ecosystem-based management, the precautionary approach, and sustainable resource management principles.
The Ministry also aims to establish policies informed by both ecological and socio-economic data related to the lobster fishery. In addition, the plan emphasises implementing systems for monitoring, control, and surveillance of the fishery and trade, while improving the collection and reporting of relevant data.
The Ministry said that a crucial component of the plan is raising awareness among stakeholders and the public about lobster species and sustainable fishing practices. It noted that the strategies and actions outlined in the plan are designed to meet these objectives, which will ultimately enhance the development of the lobster fishery and ensure the sustainable management of the resource. It also said that resorts and guesthouses represent the primary market for commercial lobster, followed by restaurants and other local markets.
The Ministry also said that discussions are ongoing with international partners to further develop the fishing sector of the Maldives, with a particular focus on expanding the diamondback squid fishery.
Met Office cautions against strong winds and rough seas for all atolls
Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has issued a cautionary advice, warning against rough seas and strong gusts of winds for the upcoming five days. The Met Office cautioned against small tidal waves in which some islands may experience following the rise in sea levels.
Following the unfavourable weather conditions, the Met Office has issued a yellow alert for islands between Haa Alif Atoll and Laamu Atoll, effective till 1500hrs. It forecasted squally showers, strong winds and rough seas for many of the islands, particularly those situated in the central region. As such, the Met Office anticipated that islands in the central region will experience wind with speeds ranging from 15 mph to 25 mph on average, while winds with speeds of 13 mph to 23 mph are expected in the southern islands. Additionally, gusts of wind are forecasted to vary between ranging 45 mph to 55 mph in the clouds.
Therefore, the MET Office urged all individuals, especially seafarers, to be cautious due to the unfavourable weather conditions. It further advised individuals to take precautions beforehand, to mitigate the damage caused by the adverse weather conditions.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) revealed that several households in Addu City have reported flooding inside the households, following the torrential downpour in the southern islands, during the past 48 hours. Addu City experienced heavy showers since October 4, with Gan experiencing 129 mm of rain.