Addu City Holds Key Attributes for Tourism Growth, Says Minister Adam Shareef

Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef, has affirmed that Addu City, the southernmost city in the Maldives, has all the qualities required to thrive as a major tourist destination.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Destination Addu Summit held at Addu Equator Village, the Minister highlighted the city’s unique natural and historical features, as well as its distinctive local dialect and cultural connections with various countries, as key elements that make it an ideal candidate for tourism development.

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Minister Shareef assured that the government would provide full support and cooperation in promoting tourism in Addu City. He emphasised the city’s significance as the largest in the Maldives and urged all stakeholders to collaborate in its development.

The Minister also noted that a significant proportion of Maldivians employed in the tourism industry hail from Addu City, and many local businesspeople are already investing in the sector. This, he suggested, positions the city as an attractive option for further investment in tourism.

The Destination Addu Summit, organised by the Addu City Council under the theme “One Brand, One Story,” commenced with 110 participants. The summit aims to address the challenges and obstacles in expanding tourism in Addu City and to discuss plans for the city’s tourism development.

Mayor of Addu City Council, Ali Nizar, also spoke at the summit, urging residents to work together to grow the tourism sector. He reassured the public that the council would offer the necessary support in their efforts. Nizar pointed out that land allocated for tourism in Addu is among the least expensive in the Maldives, which he believes could be a significant draw for investors.

Nizar stressed that developing tourism in Addu cannot rely solely on tourist arrivals to the capital, Malé. Instead, Addu must create compelling reasons for tourists to visit the city.

Currently, Addu City has three operational resorts and several guesthouses, with further plans to expand local tourism. The government has also launched tourism zones and initiated several projects, including the Hankede Integrated Tourism Project and tourism developments on three reclaimed islands. Additionally, a coastal tourism project is set to be implemented, further boosting the city’s tourism infrastructure.

The summit’s opening ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Faisal, alongside other key stakeholders in the tourism industry.