HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
Ministry of Tourism
Date: 23 rd June 2015
Time: 13:00 – 14:00
Location: Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure
Participants:
1. Mr. Moosa Zameer Hassan
There has not been a discussion at the ministerial level and industry level on the bridge project.
A ministry representative is expected to have represented in the scoping meeting for the bridge
EIA. It was suggested to conduct comprehensive multiagency consultations prior to finalizing
the designs of the bridge.
Dhoni ferry transfer on arrival is a unique feature to the Maldives. In the future, the ferry feature
has potential to be capitalized further by providing quality tourist ferries between Hulhule and
Male’ for international visitors. (eg: Venice ferries as tourist attractions).
Other opportunities include promoting Male’ as a destination market. There would be
opportunities for tourist operators to capitalize on creating a tourist experience in Male’ city for
transit and other passengers (eg: Singapore city tour). Male’ city tour can be complimented with
value additions such as providing shelter at the arrival terminal in Male’ and managed toilet
facilities for international visitors. The tours can be further complimented with Male’ tour visits
to historical places and for experiencing local cuisines.
Opportunities for visitors to stay in hotels and guesthouses in Male’ during transits, and night
flights before transfer to their place of stay or before departure from Maldives.
Some tourist visitors stopover in Male’ for one or two days for experiencing the Varunulaa
Raalhugandu surfing area. Also some international surfing competitions take place in the
Raalhugandu surfing area. There is no official data for the number of visitors to the area. Surfing
is however a seasonal attraction for the visitors when the conditions are right. Aesthetically
pleasing designs and surfer access with minimized impacts to the area are factors to consider
when designing the bridge.
On the subject all passengers to be transit from Male’ - At present majority of the resorts chose
proximity to resorts and direct transfers from resorts to the airport for departure. Male’ is going
to add to the busyness of the place and creating reception, luggage collection and departure will
Prepared by: CDE Consulting & China Shipping Environment Technology
Page|282