The official opening of the Manhattan Grand Hotel in Hulhumalé last night marks more than the launch of a new hospitality establishment. The building, which had remained unused for nearly a decade, has now been transformed into a hotel, creating a new source of revenue for the State and economic opportunities for the public.
Previous administrations had not taken steps to generate income for the State from the property. Instead, the company responsible for the building had repeatedly faced obstacles in providing the State Trading Organisation (STO) with an opportunity to make use of it.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s efforts to increase government revenue, recognising that stronger public income is essential to improving services and the well-being of citizens, have now resulted in the building being opened as a quality hotel. This demonstrates the President’s economic vision and his approach to making productive use of State assets.
The building will no longer remain an unused warehouse under STO. Instead, the hotel is expected to generate rental income and tax revenue for the State. This will contribute to national economic growth, with the benefits ultimately reaching the public.
The hotel already employs more than 100 people, approximately half of whom are Maldivians. This has created employment opportunities for many local citizens, with their families also expected to benefit from the income generated through these jobs.
The attention President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has given to strengthening the national economy and improving the financial well-being of citizens is already producing visible results. These are tangible developments that can be seen and experienced.
Many people speak eloquently about how public prosperity can be improved, while numerous individuals also claim to be economic experts. However, the question is why these ideas were not put into practice when they had the opportunity to exercise executive authority. Can a country's economy be strengthened and people's living standards improved through words alone?
The transformation of a concrete warehouse into the Manhattan Grand Hotel within a relatively short period, following President Muizzu’s attention to the project, is also an indication of his commitment to developing the Maldives’ tourism industry.
What the Maldives needs is not simply people who can speak persuasively, but sincere leadership, such as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, that can deliver tangible improvements to citizens’ livelihoods, housing conditions and financial well-being.
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As part of ongoing efforts to expand tourism and economic activity in the Greater Malé region, the five-star Manhattan Grand Hotel, developed in Hulhumalé, has officially opened. The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Hassan Zareer, who formally inaugurated the hotel.
Located at the end of Hulhumalé Phase 1, the hotel features 162 rooms and offers four restaurants alongside a range of modern facilities. It also includes three spacious Manhattan halls designed to accommodate various events, conferences and gatherings.
During last night's opening ceremony, the hotel management presented Minister Hassan Zareer with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his contribution.
The building, which STO had initially intended to operate as a city hotel, was completed and developed under the name Manhattan Grand by World of Business Pvt Ltd. The project was handed over to the company in May last year. According to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), World of Business will operate the hotel with 50 per cent foreign investment. The project was financed and invested in by Deep Seafood Company, a company based in the United Arab Emirates.
Twelve airlines are expected to enter into agreements with the hotel. The establishment is anticipated to play an important role in supporting the Maldives’ tourism industry and contributing to the national economy.
