The first-ever yacht rally in the Maldives, Savaadheetha, has commenced in Hoarafushi, Haa Alifu Atoll.
The rally is held as part of the events to mark the 50th anniversary of the tourism industry of the Maldives. The event is a collaboration of Maldives Integrated Tourism Development Corporation (MITDC), Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage, and the Civil Company of Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).
A special ceremony was held to launch the Savaadheetha Rally in Hoarafushi. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim Hassan, Managing Director of MITDC Mohamed Raid, and United Nations Resident Coordinator Catherine Haswell.
During the ceremony, a special passport was inaugurated for the participants of the rally which will be stamped on arrival at every island. The passport was issued to 34 tourists from the 12 yachts who paid a fee of USD 1,000 to take part in the rally.
The yacht rally is participated only by foreigners, who will visit 14 islands including Uligan, Hoarafushi, Matheerah, Bilehdhoothila, Galandhoo, Ihavandhoo, Baarah, and Utheemu in Haa Alifu Atoll, Norivaranfaru in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Funadhoo, Farukolhu, and Nilandhoo in Shaviyani Atoll as well as Landhoo and Manadhoo in Noonu Atoll and Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll.
The rally is attended by world-renowned celebrity yachts, Sailing Zatara, Sailing Aquarius, in addition to yachts from India, Thailand, Malaysia, France, and the US.