5 islands to be opened for bidding: Maldivian President

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said five additional islands to be developed as resorts would be opened for bidding this year. In a statement given on occasion of World Tourism Day, President Yameen said that the government was aiming towards revising tourism sector policies so that job opportunities for youth in the field are increased, and benefits from the industry enjoyed by all Maldivian citizens. President Yameen said the five islands to be opened for bidding would increase income and job opportunities in Northern atolls. He noted that government would take steps to promote tourism business in areas that didn’t have any tourist resorts. He said that while tourism industry produced many job opportunities, work still needed to be done for Maldivians to enjoy those benefits. He appealed for all relevant authorities to provide and facilitate opportunities for Maldivians in tourism industry, and to place great importance on the issue.