The Next Hot-Spot in the Maldives? Kelaa!
Wednesday 17th of March 2021
A signing ceremony to assign the 100-bed Hotel Development project in Kelaa Island was held in the Ministry of Tourism yesterday. The lease agreement was signed between the Ministry of Tourism and FEDO Pvt Ltd by Senior Policy Director, Ibrahim Farhad and Managing Director of FEDO Pvt Ltd, Ahmed Fayaz respectively. Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, and Parliament Member for the Kelaa Constituency, Ibrahim Shareef also took part in the ceremony.
Kelaa Island in Haa Alif Atoll in the northern region of Maldives is one of the northernmost islands in the archipelago and is blessed with an undisturbed, pristine white sandy beach and a healthy lagoon. The island has a population of over 2200 people who are concentrated in the northern region, leaving the rest of the island covered in a canopy of lush vegetation.
FEDO plans to build this facility up to star-resort standard and concept, with bungalows spread across the beach and over water in the lagoon. Upon completion, it will be equipped with a certified Dive Centre. Water Sports Center, and similar facilities to that available on a fully-fledged resort. An official from FEDO also highlighted that sustainable development will reflect in the design of the resort, keeping in mind the minimal impact on the environment from the construction of the hotel.
This project to build a 100-bed hotel on the island has the potential of opening up more than 200 slots for jobs to residents in the area. The development is on the far side of the island away from the island community living space, which requires it to have its own water and sewage system in place.
FEDO has over a decade of experience in the construction industry, having footed mega-building projects along the way. The 100-bed tourist accommodation project in Kelaa Island is to be completed within 30 months from signing. According to an official from FEDO, preliminary work on the land survey, drawings and EIA will commence immediately. It is expected to be done in six months' time so that physical construction can begin afterward.
With Maafaru International Airport now operating as a gateway to affluent travelers to the Northern region of Maldives, such development on Kelaa Island is expected to boost tourism in the area. Moreover, Hoarafushi Airport in Haa Alif Atoll and Hanimaadhoo Airport in Haa Dhaal Atoll are domestic air gateways to the region. In addition to this project, 14 more slots of land have been allocated and signed in the past month for tourist accommodation development.