Thumburi Integrated Resort to Expand Mid-market Sector in Maldives
October 220, 2014 - The first ever integrated Resort Development Project of the Maldives has been launched by HE president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Thumburi integrated resort development project is the embodiment of president Yameen's vision for guest house islands which was outlined in the PPM tourism manifesto.
The project plan is to implement the guest house concept in the Islands of Thumburi and Hulhiyandhoo located in Laamu Atoll in the North of Maldives. With 23 hospitality properties the project will effectively have 2,100 new beds introduced with over 4,000 new jobs created. Estimates indicate that by 2017 Maldives will witness an additional tourist arrival of over 150,000.
The plan to develop integrated resorts in Maldives represents one of the most attractive investment options in the tourism sector. This project will responsibly diversify the tourism product of Maldives to the mid-market segment bringing social and economic development for the region while creating opportunities to invest in tourism to the small and medium businesses.
The project offers opportunity for SMEs to invest in tourism related products (guesthouses) as well as sub-sector products like restaurants, dive centres, water sports.
Maldives reached a milestone of one million tourists last year. By the end of Dec 2013, 1,125,202 tourist arrivals were recorded which is an increase of 17.4 per cent compared to 2012.
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