Former President and long-time MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed has said that the benefits of tourism, usually seen in resorts, can also be realized in the islands where people live, citing Maafushi as an example.
He made the remarks during a special ceremony yesterday that launched the “Heart of Maldives” branding for Maafushi. Nasheed, who began the guesthouse business in residential islands, unveiled the brand logo at the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nasheed highlighted the economic growth of Maafushi, noting its contribution of MVR 120 million in taxes annually, with the local council receiving MVR 55 million in revenue. He emphasized that the same beaches, soil, and natural resources exist in residential islands as in resort islands, and questioned why tourism profits should be limited to resorts.
The ceremony also saw the unveiling of the new brand logo’s colors and was attended by the MDP government’s Tourism Minister, heads of the Guest House Association, local institutions, and Ahmed Naseem, who opened Maafushi’s first guesthouse.
Maafushi was the first island to receive approval for guesthouse operations in residential areas and now offers more than 2,000 tourist beds, demonstrating how tourism can benefit local communities.
He made the remarks during a special ceremony yesterday that launched the “Heart of Maldives” branding for Maafushi. Nasheed, who began the guesthouse business in residential islands, unveiled the brand logo at the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nasheed highlighted the economic growth of Maafushi, noting its contribution of MVR 120 million in taxes annually, with the local council receiving MVR 55 million in revenue. He emphasized that the same beaches, soil, and natural resources exist in residential islands as in resort islands, and questioned why tourism profits should be limited to resorts.
The ceremony also saw the unveiling of the new brand logo’s colors and was attended by the MDP government’s Tourism Minister, heads of the Guest House Association, local institutions, and Ahmed Naseem, who opened Maafushi’s first guesthouse.
Maafushi was the first island to receive approval for guesthouse operations in residential areas and now offers more than 2,000 tourist beds, demonstrating how tourism can benefit local communities.
