MALE, Maldives, Dec.30 --Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest
An Assessment of the Current Situation in the Maldives after the tsunami
disaster beginning 26 Dec 2004:
6 resorts are badly damaged and unable to operate, will take at least 2
months to be functional.
Some of the local fishermen islands are badly damaged and devastated like:
Meemu Atoll - Naalaafushi
Meemu - Muli
Meemu - Kolhufushi
Meemu - Vevah
Meemu - Madifushi
Meemu - Raiymandhoo
Thaa - Vilufushi
Raa - Kandholhudhoo
Dhaalu - Gemendhoo
Dhaalu - Meedhoo
Please check this website for updated information:
Maldives Tourism Promotion Board - http://www.visitmaldives.gov.mv
My last meeting with the Minister of Tourism confirms that 68 resorts are
functioning and that they are fully capable of meeting guest expectation.
The Travel Advisory issued by the British organization FCO was lifted
yesterday. Nevertheless a copy is attached.
International Airport was closed for a while but is fully operational now.
The after effects of the Tsunami are not so severe on the tourism industry
of the Maldives because each resort in the Maldives has its own infrastructure:
the island's own power supply, sewerage system, water supply and other support
facilities. Because of this, the risk that may usually be associated these
types of disasters such as electrical accidents, water contamination, and
epidemics are negligible. Furthermore due to the resort islands flatness and
the sand quantity, the floods receded reasonably quickly.
First Phase of the initial assessment of the tourism industry of Maldives
completed
The initial assessment of the tourism industry of Maldives after the
flooding as a result of the earthquake off the west coast of Northern Sumatra,
on December 26, 2004 has been completed.
In the aftermath of this disaster, three tourist fatalities were
unfortunately encountered, while some others sustained minor injuries. Maldives
being a dive destination is yet fortunate that no divers faced any fatal
injuries during the incident.
The semi-operational resorts have varying degrees of damage and require
minor renovation work but are operational. The status of these
"semi-operational" resorts are expected to be upgraded to the "fully
operational" status within the coming weeks if not days as they repair the
damages.
The un-operational resorts have sustained major damage which may require
weeks to repair. Out of which six resorts are expected to take a few months for
restoration and be fully operational.
We shall continue assessing the resorts and with time we shall be making
adjustments to the figures as resorts get repaired and operational and we will
be updating that information on our website http://www.visitmaldives.com
For More Information, Please Contact:
Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI)
Address: 3rd Fl. Gadhamoo Building, Boduthakurufaanuagu,POBox2056,Male',
Republic of Maldives
Phone: +960-326640,or 321701
Fax: +960-326641
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.maldivestourism.org.mv
SOURCE Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI)
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