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Former President Abdulla Yameen says the Thinadhoo area could accommodate at least 20,000 tourist beds and become the country’s first dedicated tourism zone under his leadership.
Mariyam Adheela
Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom speaking at a PNF rally -- Photo: PNF
G.Dh. Thinadhoo, Maldives: Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has pledged to develop G.Dh. Thinadhoo and surrounding islands into a major tourism zone, saying the area could accommodate at least 20,000 tourist beds.
Speaking at a PNF rally in Thinadhoo on Saturday night, Yameen said the tourism potential of the region remains largely untapped.
He was responding to a question about whether around 300 tourist resorts could be developed in the area if he returns to power.
Yameen said the wider region, covering Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls, has sufficient potential to support large-scale tourism development.
Yameen said Thinadhoo and islands in Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu would be among the first areas he would designate as a tourism zone if elected.
“The first tourism zone under my leadership will be Thinadhoo and the islands in GA and GD,” Yameen said.
He said developing tourism in the area would create significant opportunities and pledged to facilitate the expansion of the industry there.
The PNF gathering marked the party’s first rally outside Malé, with residents raising concerns and questions directly with Yameen during the event.
There are currently eight resorts operating in the wider area covering Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.
