The Maldives tourism sector received $205.5 million worth of investment in the first half of 2022, amid “record levels of capital raised for deals across Asia Pacific gateway markets and resort destinations,” according to real estate and investment management firm JLL.
“The market demonstrated its resilience in 2021 as a global gateway resort destination with hotels generally performing better than in 2019, despite the notable absence of Asian demand for much of the year. That momentum has carried over into 2022 and in turn the market has continued to attract the interest of investors from Asia, Middle East and Europe. Overall, we are forecasting higher investment volumes this year on the back of marquee sales such as the W Maldives and Sheraton Full Moon Resort, with more sales currently underway for the second half of the year.”
Training flights at Addu City’s flying school resumed under the Maldives Aviation Academy, a joint venture between national carrier Maldivian airline and the Maldives National University with management by a Czech Republic institution.
A flying school previously operated by the Asian Academy of Aeronautics in the southernmost atoll closed with more than 100 students unable to complete their studies.
Italy’s new flag carrier ITA Airways plans to operate a new direct flight from Rome to the Maldives, thrice-weekly from 17 December to 22 January – the peak season for tourism – and twice a week from 23 January to 26 March.
Italy is a top market with 49,828 visitors so far this year as of 5 July.
