Locals clean site of first underwater museum to be built in Maldives

Locals from V. Keyodhoo have started cleaning the site of the first underwater museum which will be built in Maldives.

President of Keyodhoo Council, Ahmed Yoosuf reported to “Sun” that the underwater museum will be built to the west of the island.

Ahmed Yoosuf reported that construction of the museum will begin in April, and is scheduled to be complete by November.

He said the museum will showcase a number of historical items.

Keyodhoo MP, Moosa Nizar commented that the project was of immense importance and pride to the people of his constituency.

“This will increase popularity of Keyodhoo, globally. This is important to promote Keyodhoo to the world. Our V. Atoll is rich, regardless of its small stature. This atoll has 20 international-standard (diving) points. So this is a matter of great pride,” said MP Moosa Nizar.

The project is organized by Maldives Gateways – a leading company in tourism promotion.

CEO of Maldives Gateways, Dr. Hussein Sanee reported that it wanted to promote Keyodhoo as a diving destination.

He said the Maldivian diving industry was valued at over USD 250 million, with two million dives per year.

Sanee said the number of annual dives were estimated to increase to four million, and the industry to grow in value to USD 400 million by 2020.

“A huge contribution to this is expected to be from Keyodhoo once the underwater museum is built. We have proposed to the council and guesthouse community to advertise Keyodhoo in the dive magazine next year. The museum will be promoted in fairs in places such as

Germany, Japan, Australia and Birmingham,” said Sanee.

Top officials from Maldives Gateways, MP Moosa Nizar, owners of guesthouses in Keyodhoo, and about 100 tourists currently on holiday at the island have joined the 800-people from Keyodhoo cleaning the site where the museum will be built.