Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal announced on Thursday that efforts are underway to attract Indian investors to develop and open three resorts near Hanimaadu International Airport.
Faisal, speaking at a recent Welcome India Roadshow briefing, stressed that 4,000 to 6,000 tourist beds are needed in the region to ensure efficient operation of the airport. He noted that the expansion work at Hanimaadhoo Airport is nearing completion and stressed the importance of developing more tourist beds in the surrounding area to support airport operations.
The ministry is set to hold an investor forum for tourism sector investors in India later this year. Despite budget constraints, there is strong pressure from industry players to return to India and secure investments for two or three luxury resort projects in the region.
Mohamed Khalil, tourism development adviser to President Mohamed Muizz, warned that without adequate tourism infrastructure, Hanimaadhoo airport could become “a dead horse.” He stressed the importance of directing tourism investment to the region, particularly encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in guesthouse development.
Khalil noted that the expansion of guesthouses would benefit the overall economy, suggesting that direct international flights could address the challenges posed by high transport costs to remote areas.
The Hanimaadh Airport project is being implemented by Indian engineering and construction company Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL) with a loan from the Exim Bank of India. The project includes the construction of a 2,460-metre runway and a terminal capable of accommodating 1.3 million tourists per year. The airport is expected to be capable of accommodating Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft by March next year.
