MALDIVES: Tourists Cancel Bookings Fearing State Of Emergency Chaos

Maldives' ongoing political strife seems to have stemmed into its tourism industry, as several resorts and guesthouses have reported booking cancellations in the past week over the state of emergency in place.

Several resorts and guesthouses told Haveeru that tourists planning to visit had raised questions and expressed concern over the Maldives’ month-long state of emergency.

Paradise Island Resort and Spa reported that their occupancy rate has dropped by a staggering 70 percent since the emergency announcement, whereas normally the resort would be fully booked at this time of year which is the beginning of tourist high season.

The resort revealed they receive two to three cancellations daily, which is approximately six tourists. They are also receiving calls from India, where the majority of its guests hail from, with inquiries regarding the resort’s security.

Villa Group’s head office also reported a significant drop in tourists to their other resorts this month in comparison to last November. Tourists from China and Europe, which make up the bulk of the nation’s tourism market, have raised concerns over the Maldives’ situtation, added Villa.

“We’re monitoring the amount of tourists arriving. As it’s only been a week since emergency was announced, we haven’t yet noticed much of a decrease. But things are very slow this month compared to last year,” said a senior official of Villa.

Ayada Maldives resort in Gaafu Dhaal atoll said they have not received any cancellations yet, but tourists are worried over the current state of affairs.

“They ask about airport security, whether it’s safe to come to the Maldives. We guaranteed their safety, so none of them have cancelled bookings yet,” said an Ayada official.

While the number of tourists to the Maldives increased slightly last month, the occupancy of guesthouses is on the rise while resorts’ have declined.

Meanwhile, Maldives Association of Tourist Industry (MATI) had assured in a press release on Wednesday that the tourism sector and domestic transportation will remain unaffected by the emergency and proceed normally.

Government, meanwhile, had said it was already working to minimise the impact on tourism and the archipelago's economy.

Maldives declared a month-long state of emergency Wednesday in what has been extraordinary security measures following an explosion on a speedboat carrying the president and subsequent discovery of an arms haul.

In the declaration of emergency, which was read out to journalists at the President’s Office by Attorney General Mohamed Anil, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said he had reached the decision after consultations with his national security council. Several explosive devices have been discovered in two separate operations carried out by the army and there is credible intelligence of an imminent attack using explosives and weapons, he added.

Such an attack would endanger the lives of the public, the president said.

Newly appointed tourism minister Moosa Zameer had earlier said information is being disseminated to tourists with pre-booked tickets and resorts.

"We are working hard to minimise the shadow cast on our economy by all this," he had said.

The declaration of emergency came a day after security forces discovered an explosive device near the presidential palace.

Maldives military had confirmed that the suspected device found in a vehicle parked near the presidential residence of Muliaage in capital Male was an improvised explosive device which had been subsequently been diffused.

The discovery of the IED came just over a month after an explosion aboard the presidential speedboat carrying President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom now confirmed as an attempt to kill the president.

President Yameen was unhurt but his spouse and two others were hurt in the explosion.

The primary suspect in the blast appears to be Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor who was arrested on October 24 as soon as he arrived from an official trip to China.

He is accused of high treason, a charge he denies.

The government has continued its crackdown on the vice president and his associates.

Before and since the vice president’s arrest, police jointly with armed soldiers have been carrying out raids across capital Male. Most of the houses and offices searched so far had direct links to the vice president.

The army had confirmed that two assault rifles found in the biggest weapons bust in Maldives' recent history belonged to the state armoury.

The items showcased during a press conference earlier Saturday included several hand guns, a T56 assault rifle and a MP5 sub-machine gun. In addition, a large quantity of bomb making material were also displayed at the press briefing.

The weapons had been seized from Hibilhadhoo island in Baa Atoll being developed as a resort.

Parliament, meanwhile, has sacked Adheeb from the VP's post after unanimously passing a no confidence motion against him.