Abu Dhabi to develop 8 Maldivian style islands

November 16th, 2008 | Posted in News

Abu Dhabi Tourism Ministry has revealed plans to develop 8 Maldivian style islands as major investment to attract more tourists.

According to plans revealed the first is island to be developed will be Sir Bani Yas Island located off the west coast of the Al Gharbia region. The island will be open fully to visitors next year as part of an attempt to boost tourism in the Middle Eastern country. The project also includes Dalma Island and the previously unexplored Discovery Islands, two of which are expected to resemble Maldivian island resorts.

When the Sir Bani Yas Island opens to tourism, the island will accommodate a wild Life Park which will accommodate various endangered species of wild life and marine life.

Abu Dhabi’s tourism development project in a bid to attract more and more tourists to the country, may impact the Maldives Tourism Industry as Abu Dhabi not only borders Europe but also can provide ease of travel and various levels of comfort to European globe trotters.

While many tourism developments projects have been undertaken by various countries around the world to attract more tourists to their countries, the efforts of the Maldivian industry stakeholders to expand the tourism industry are being seriously questioned by many.

Even though the Maldives islands are small, many believe that new and innovative ideas can be implemented to attract more tourists to the country and that talks of such implementation has been going on for ages. They note that despite such talks no action has been taken.

Mike who has been to Maldives as a tourist for over eight times, said “it’s the same which ever resort one goes, there is very little difference” and “if Maldivian tourism industry is to be expanded and developed further to attract more tourists, then services, facilities and attractions afforded to the guests needs to be changed”.

According to Mike more attention should be given to design concept of the resorts. Wide range of services and attractions should be introduced.

There is much anticipation that under the new government installed recently, the Maldives tourism industry will further develop and expand attracting more and more tourists.