Nasheed: Goidhoo guesthouses can outperform resorts in profits

Former President Mohamed Nasheed stated on Tuesday that the guesthouse business would generate greater revenue than constructing a resort through dredging the Goidhoo atoll.

Nasheed’s comments come in the wake of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s recent visit to B.Goidhoo, where he announced the award of a bid for resort development in the island’s lagoon. President Muizzu indicated that the agreement is expected to be signed before the end of this month.

Taking to X to express his views, Nasheed argued that the atoll would benefit more from preserving its current state rather than dredging a separate island within the Goidhoo atoll to build a resort.

Nasheed firmly believes that the guesthouse business will yield more financial returns and profits for Goidhoo than a resort. He suggested that if a resort were to be developed in the area, it could be established on one of the three islands of ‘Goi-Fulha-Fehendhoo’.

For context, Goidhoo, Fulhadhoo, and Fehendhoo are three islands situated within the same lagoon. Goidhoo is home to approximately 580 residents, while Fulhadhoo has about 300, and Fehendhoo has around 200. All three islands currently host guesthouses.