IMI - FOREIGN GOVERNMENT RESORT DEVELOPMENT

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000181 SIPDIS SIPDIS USDOC FOR 4530/MAC/ANESA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BTIO CE SUBJECT: IMI - FOREIGN GOVERNMENT RESORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 1.Summary. To expand the tourism industry in the Republic of Maldives, the Ministry of Tourism hopes to develop resorts in 35 islands within the next two to five years. End summary 2.The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) forecasts the growth of the Asia Pacific tourism over the next three years, and predicts that arrivals to the Maldives will likely increase by 6.8 in 2006 and 2007. 3.At present the tourism industry in the Maldives is experiencing a bed capacity shortage. Bed capacity of 5000 to 7000 is expected to be added with the development of the new resorts. 4.In offering 35 new resort/hotel facilities, the Government of Maldives (GOM) hopes to provide a mix of x of medium size resorts (100-200 beds) and small luxury resorts (below 50 beds). GOM would also allow the resorts to adjust capacity to demand and would allow the new resorts to expand from the minimum number of beds to the maximum over a five year period. 5.For further information regarding the upcoming tenders on resort development please check WWW.MALDIVESTOURISM.GOV.MV LUNSTEAD