Yacht Tours wants Kudavillingili as compensation

10 November 2007
Report: Jaxu

Yacht Tours Pvt. Ltd has requested the government to give them K. KudaVillingili or Lhaviani Dhifushimaadhoo as a second choice in compensation for K. Biyadhoo. Yacht’s Tours proposal is followed by the government’s decision to award an island to Yacht Tours in compensation for the unlawful disqualification of the company in the evaluation of bids proposed K. Biyaadhoo.

According Tourism Ministry’s press release, Yacht Tours have already proposed the company’s bed rates for K. Kudavillingili and Lhaviani Dhifushimaadhoo at the discussions held between the ministry and Yacht Tours. The discussions between the parties are held with the aim of finding an amicable solution to issue of providing a just and fair compensation to Yacht Tours.

With the government’s decision to award Yacht Tours Maldives an island for the development of a tourist resort, Tourism Ministry started discussions with Yacht Tours on the 5 of November 2007.

The discussions held at the ministry on 5 November was participated on behalf of the ministry by Mohamed Waheed, Executive Director of Tourism Ministry, Ismail Yasir, Senior Legal Officer, Yazeedh Mohamed, Deputy Director and Laila Mohamed, Assistant Legal Officer.

On behalf of Yacht Tours the discussions were participated Chairman and Managing Director of Yacht Tours Abdulla Jabir, Deputy Chairman Mohamed Latheef , CEO Ahmed Mohamed and Director Abdul Gafoor.

At the discussions, Yacht Tours were asked to submit their proposal reports the Ministry. According to Tourism Ministry, Yacht Tours wanted K. Biyaadhoo as their first choice and if that cannot be granted then the company wanted the amount determined in the opportunities cost assessment as just compensation in lieu of K.Biyaadhoo to be given. Opportunities Cost Assessment indicated that by operating Biyaadhoo of Kaafu Atoll for 35 years Yacht Tours would profit US $ 33,294,745.00.

According to Tourism Ministry government is now considering to grant K. Kudavillingili to Yacht Tours for 35 years to develop a tourist resort. Ministry also has said that if Kudavillingili cannot be given, the government is looking to give an island of the same size to Yacht Tours.

Ministry of Tourism further said that they are currently checking on the legality of granting an island to Yacht Tours without undergoing a public bidding process.

Meanwhile Yacht Tours have asked the ministry to allocate another island for the development of a resort within 30 days.