Licences for two of Jabir

Licences have been revoked for two resorts operated by Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir’s Yacht Tours after the company failed to pay large overdue sums to the government as rent and fines.

A notice has also been sent to Yacht Tours to hand over the resorts to the government.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb said today that when the current government came to power, 12 resorts had not settled their due rent payments, out of which all resorts except for Alidhoo and Kudarah operated by Yacht Tours are currently making the payments after being given a notice period of 30 days. Consequently, a seven-day notice has been given to Alidhoo and Kudarah regarding termination.

“We don’t have any written communication with Yacht Tours, and when we checked with MIRA, they had not made any payments either. So from now onwards, Alidhoo and Kudarah which are presently in operation have been terminated, and they’ve been given seven days to hand over the islands,” he said.

He said that Yacht Tours had not contacted the Ministry about finding ways to make the payments, and that the two resorts owe a sum of $4 million for six quarters to the government. He said that along with those resorts, the licence for Farukolhufushi has also been revoked.

Adheeb said that licences are not being revoked of groups that communicate with the Ministry about finding ways to make the payments.

“Operating resorts cannot proceed without paying rent. We negotiated with all groups. Those who paid even a quarter of the rent at the last minute were given the opportunity, and some groups paid rent and fines in instalments,” he said.

The ministry sent notices regarding termination of agreements on 21 November to Alidhoo Resort operated by Yacht Tours owned by Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir; and Flitheyo Resort, Medhufushi Resort and Zitahli Resort operated by the family of Bilaydhoo MP Ahmed Hamza.

Adheeb said that even though the target of one million tourists was not achieved in 2012, tourist arrival for 2012 was higher than for 2011. He said that several efforts have been made to increase tourist arrival, and that new five resorts will be opened in the Maldives next year.