Former Tourism Minister Dr. Abdullah Mausoom has voiced strong concern that the government’s plan to enter the tourism industry will “ruin” the sector and fail to deliver any benefit to the Maldivian people.
In his Presidential Statement, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that the government would develop at least 10 resorts within the next three years, make every Maldivian a shareholder, and begin depositing foreign currency into citizens’ accounts. The government estimates that from 2030 onwards, each citizen would receive USD 400 annually.
Asked about the plan, Dr. Mausoom said no state‑owned company currently operates profitably, and that government entry into tourism raises serious questions about sustainability and fairness. He argued that public funds collected through taxes are already being wasted and disproportionately benefiting certain groups.
Highlighting the current state of the industry, Mausoom said even the green tax paid by tourists is not being used properly. He noted that island communities do not receive their rightful share, waste management remains poor, and councils are burdened with responsibilities without adequate budgets.
“When things are already like this, it is very questionable whether the government can run a new business,” he said.
Spa reception at Joali Being Bodufushi resort. (Photo/Joali Being)
Mausoom expressed deep concern over the shift from the government’s traditional role as a facilitator to becoming a direct competitor in tourism. He said the Maldives became a world‑renowned destination through private investment, while the government focused on enabling the sector rather than intervening in it.
“All that Maldives has is tourism. We get our dollars through tourism. If the government gets involved, tourism will be disrupted. Tourism will be ruined. There is no benefit for the people, no benefit for Maldives, and no benefit for government finances,” he said.
Based on the government’s own projections, Mausoom calculated that each resort would need to generate USD 13 million in net profit every month to fund the proposed payouts to citizens.
Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has also raised concerns over the government’s plan. For most of Mausoom’s tenure as Tourism Minister, Ameer was the Finance Minister.