Sh. Foakaidhoo has officially begun its journey into local tourism following the arrival of the island’s first batch of international visitors at Sunsetveli Guesthouse.
The guesthouse, operating under the Dhonveli Hotels brand, is currently hosting foreign guests who are experiencing the island’s culture, traditions and everyday local life as part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting Foakaidhoo as a destination for authentic Maldivian island experiences.
Visitors staying on the island have been taking part in a variety of activities, including snorkeling excursions, community interactions, traditional cuisine experiences and cultural programs conducted by local residents. Guests also participated in activities showcasing Maldivian traditions, including wearing Feyli and attending cultural learning sessions organized by members of the community.
Organizers said bringing the first group of tourists to Foakaidhoo was not without challenges. The initiative faced difficulties including high transportation costs from Malé City, rough sea conditions and unexpected weather changes. Despite these obstacles, the initiative successfully managed to launch tourism activities on the island.
Residents and tourism stakeholders believe the beginning of tourism in Foakaidhoo could open new economic opportunities for the local community through guesthouse operations, excursions, cultural activities, food services and small businesses connected to tourism.
The tourism initiative, branded as “Visit Foakaidhoo,” is scheduled to officially launch on May 28. The campaign aims to showcase the island’s natural beauty, culture and local lifestyle while promoting Foakaidhoo as a unique destination within the Maldives’ growing local tourism sector.
The official launching ceremony of Visit Foakaidhoo will be inaugurated by Indian singer Vibhuti Sharma.
The organizers also said the long-term vision of the initiative is to establish Foakaidhoo as a destination known for genuine community-based tourism experiences, offering travelers an opportunity to experience a more traditional and cultural side of the Maldives beyond luxury resorts.
