Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed has stated that a total of 144 resort are currently being run in Maldives, as well as the ongoing projects of an additional 140 resorts.
Speaking during a press conference at the ministry, Tourism Minister Waheed described 132 out of the additional 140 resort projects as being development projects and further adding that a total of 54 projects are currently in hiatus due to various complications.
Waheed also highlighted that in addition to resorts, Maldives boasts 12 hotels, 508 guesthouses, 148 liveaboards, 308 travel agencies and 272 dive schools across the archipelago.
The tourism minister also disclosed that 13 islands, of which three were not officially gazetted, were leased for resort development in 2016 during the regime of former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Minister Waheed further noted that the current administration aims to bring developments to the tourism sector.
Waheed had earlier met with members of organisations involved in the tourism sector of the country.
Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) had earlier reported an increase of 10 percent in tourist bed occupancy rate in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2017.
According to the statistical report, tourist arrivals spiked by 10 percent in the first six months of this year with 726,516 visitors. The report estimated that 1.5 million tourists will visit the country by the end of the year, highlighting that half of the target has been achieved.