MAYA raises concern over delay in amending Cruise Liner Regulation
| DATE: 2010-03-11 | PRINT |
Agents of luxury yachts and cruise liners have been urging the government to amend the regulations for two years, since it came into effect in 2008 claiming, “Maldives is being wiped off the maps of luxury yacht captains.”
Mohamed ‘Bunny’ Ali, Secretary General of MAYA raised concern over reduced national revenues saying the amendment delays were to blame.
“Two years is adequate for amending a regulation,” he added.
“There are many people who don’t want to come [to Maldives], because the regulation is not rectified. They are saying that Maldives is a covetous nation.”
Managing Director of Antrack Maldives, Mohamed Hameed said passenger liners and luxury yachts that came to Maldives do not want to stay long anymore, for fear of pirates.
“The main issue is that the fees charged by the government are high. They want to stay in Maldives for a few days,” he said.
MAYA sent to Haveeru, copy of a letter submitted to Tourism Ministry last month by international cruise liner agents.
The letter warned the government of cancelling their plans to start businesses in the Maldives late this year and early next year. The ministry’s response said, while the regulations were being amended, it was unable to give an exact date of completion.
Ahmed Solih, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said final draft of the amended regulations has been sent to Attorney General’s Office, after discussions with relevant authorities.
“The regulation will come into effect as soon as Attorney General’s Office sends it back. The process is taking time, as it involves customs, immigrations and other authorities,” he added.
| DATE: 2010-03-11 | PRINT |
Agents of luxury yachts and cruise liners have been urging the government to amend the regulations for two years, since it came into effect in 2008 claiming, “Maldives is being wiped off the maps of luxury yacht captains.”
Mohamed ‘Bunny’ Ali, Secretary General of MAYA raised concern over reduced national revenues saying the amendment delays were to blame.
“Two years is adequate for amending a regulation,” he added.
“There are many people who don’t want to come [to Maldives], because the regulation is not rectified. They are saying that Maldives is a covetous nation.”
Managing Director of Antrack Maldives, Mohamed Hameed said passenger liners and luxury yachts that came to Maldives do not want to stay long anymore, for fear of pirates.
“The main issue is that the fees charged by the government are high. They want to stay in Maldives for a few days,” he said.
MAYA sent to Haveeru, copy of a letter submitted to Tourism Ministry last month by international cruise liner agents.
The letter warned the government of cancelling their plans to start businesses in the Maldives late this year and early next year. The ministry’s response said, while the regulations were being amended, it was unable to give an exact date of completion.
Ahmed Solih, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said final draft of the amended regulations has been sent to Attorney General’s Office, after discussions with relevant authorities.
“The regulation will come into effect as soon as Attorney General’s Office sends it back. The process is taking time, as it involves customs, immigrations and other authorities,” he added.
