According to Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom, tourism beds on islands make up 27% of the total. He shared on Twitter that local tourism is on the rise in 118 islands with 909 guesthouses and 16,300 tourist beds.
Minister Mausoom emphasized the importance of improving travel and transportation systems to ensure that all islands can benefit from tourism. To achieve this, he highlighted ongoing efforts to expand the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) service and upgrade harbors, water, and sewerage systems.
Moreover, Minister Mausoom encouraged citizens to participate in community-based tourism to reap its benefits. He mentioned that the government is supporting local councils and businesses to develop community-based tourism on their islands. The government aims to promote community-based local tourism on all inhabited islands by 2023, which would involve incorporating the culture, heritage, and ecosystems of these islands into the tourism industry. This approach would enable island communities to benefit from tourism directly.
