Managing Director of Maldives Hajj Corporation Mohamed Shakeel has announced plans to develop a city hotel in Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll, under its efforts to make the corporation a profitable company.
Responding to the inquiries of the members of the Parliament's Government Oversight Committee, Managing Director Shakeel reiterated the government's goals of making the Hajj Corporation profitable and reduce the prices for pilgrimage packages offered. He revealed plans to enter the real estate market, to boost the revenue and achieve these objectives.
Under these efforts, Shakeel stated that efforts are underway to develop and sell luxury flats in Hulhumale'. He noted that this project will be awarded to contractors in a few months.
Furthermore, as Hajj Corporation is a company which has to make financial transactions with foreign currency, Shakeel highlighted the ongoing efforts to generate revenue in terms of foreign currency. As such, decisions have been made to introduce Halal tourism, by establishing a city hotel in Maafushi. A land plot for this initiative has already been designated.
Hajj Corporation currently offers Hajj pilgrimage packages costing USD4,537. Shakeel assured that this fare will be reduced once the corporation becomes profitable, aiming to reduce the prices to USD3,242. The corporation spends USD 1.9 million annually, to facilitate pilgrimage trips, for the individuals going on Hajj pilgrimage under the 1,000 quotas issued to the Maldives.