British-made Addu sites to be restored, used to promote tourism

The sites built by the British back when they ran a military base in Addu will be restored and used to attract British tourists, says Ibrahim Faisal, the country’s tourism minister.

Faisal announced the decision on Saturday morning, at the inauguration of the Destination Addu Summit. The summit is underway at the Addu Equator Village.

Speaking at the inauguration, Faisal said Addu still has a number of sites developed by the British. He said that the Tourism Ministry will collaborate with the Heritage Ministry to restore the sites.

“I have been informed there are places here built by the British back when they were stationed here. We plan on renovating these places and market Addu to the British. We have met with the Heritage Ministry as this is within their purview,” he said.

Faisal said that the Tourism Ministry plans on promoting Addu at the World Travel Market scheduled to be held in London in November. He said that the Addu City Council will join the fair.

Faisal added that he believes Addu to be uniquely positioned to attract British tourists.

He also spoke about the need to discuss and make decisions to promote sustainable development of the tourism sector in Addu during the summit.

“I am ready to respond to any calls to develop tourism in Addu. The Tourism Ministry will not neglect anything on its end,” he said.

Faisal said the Tourism Ministry is also working on a paper on tourism in Addu, which will be submitted to the Economic Council and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and his cabinet.

Thanking the Addu City Council’s initiative in holding such a summit, Faisal encouraged other regions to hold similar summits.

Addu City has ample land, including those designated for tourism. However, the tourism sector in the city remains underdeveloped.

British soldiers resided in Addu under a protectorate treaty in 1887. During that time, the British built factories and an airport in the atoll. Some of these places are now severely rundown.