Malé, Maldives – Ministry of Tourism and Addu City Council have carried out discussions to develop a cruise ship terminal in Addu City.
Discussions regarding the project was carried out in a meeting with Tourism Minister Dr Abdullah Mausoom during the ongoing Addu City Council trip to the capital.
Development of the cruise ship terminal and challenges in promoting Addu City as a destination was discussed during the meeting. Council also stated that the issues of Canareef Resort and Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa was also discussed during the meeting.
Mayor Ali Nizar had previously stated that efforts of developing a yacht marina and cruise terminal was ongoing. Speaking at the ‘Future of Addu Tourism’ forum held in September 2021, Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar said a yacht marina and cruise terminal will be developed in Addu City under efforts to expand tourism in the region. The project will bring about a revolutionary change to the city, he added.
According to the mayor, the project will be carried out in Feydhoo and Gan, said. Along with the yacht marina and cruise terminal, a 100-room hotel will also be developed as part of the project. An area of over 100,000 square feet have already been allocated to build the terminal.
Nizar said some parties have already expressed interest in the project. He said the council is working with relevant authorities to commence the project.
As Addu City was a popular destination for yachts in the past, the government had previously planned to build a yacht marina in the atoll. However, the number of yachts traveling to Addu declined significantly in 2009, due to which the project was halted.
