The delay-plagued development at Velana International Airport (VIA) will be completed by peak tourism season next year, President-elect Mohamed Muizzu has assured. Muizzu made the commitment during his speech at the ‘ Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum 2023’ held at Bandos Maldives Resort on Thursday.
Muizzu said the delays were a concern to everyone in the tourism sector and he would give his highest priority to complete the work at VIA within a year.
Muizzu said the tourism industry, resort owners, Maldivian travel agencies, guesthouses and the entire industry had worked together to develop the nation’s tourism industry.
“We will work with all stakeholders to further develop the sector in the coming days,” he said.
Muizzu, during his presidential campaign, had promised to introduce a retirement scheme and a government housing scheme for tourism employees.
The GM Forum, organised by Hotelier Maldives, was first held in 2016 and aims to provide an opportunity to exchange information and ideas at the top level on the challenges and opportunities in resort management and the tourism sector in the Maldives and around the world.