Maafushi is renowed as the origin of local tourism in Maldives, evident from the guest houses, souvenir shops, water sports centres all around the island. With over 50 active guest houses in the island in Kaafu Atoll, the bed capacity of Maafushi currently exeeds 1,600.
While the official population of Maafushi is 2,000, the island council says over 5,000 people live in the island, including migrants, businessmen and workers. With the boom in population inevitably leading to constraints in availability of land, the administration launched a project to reclaim land from the lagoon adjacent to the island. The project, which was launched in December 2019, introduces a new concept of development, as the reclamation area is bridged with the existing island, rather than annexing the island.
Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure and Maafushi Island Council have been working on formulating a land use plan that will maximise the benefits for the citizens of the island. As such, the reclaimed land will include areas for social housing and local tourism as well as a business zone, mixed-use zone and an open space area for public recreation. The administration states the project will play an important role in boosting the economy of Maldives.
The reclamation project is contracted to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). Under the project, 25 hectares of land will be reclaimed, while a 1,110 metre revetment will be constructed as shore protection. The total cost of the project amounts to over USD 6.4 million.