Wednesday, September 25, 2024 At the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024 , Mohamed Mihad, Chief Commercial Officer at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), delivered a key presentation titled, “Velana International Airport (VIA) and Tourism Development.” Mihad underscored the pivotal role of Velana International Airport in shaping and supporting the Maldives’ tourism industry, emphasizing the intertwined relationship between the airport’s infrastructure and the growth of the country’s tourism sector. He also discussed the future opportunities for collaboration between the airport and tourism to strengthen the Maldives’ position as a top global tourist destination.
Mihad began by tracing the history of Velana International Airport , highlighting key milestones. He recounted how the first runway was built in 1964, and the Maldives welcomed its first tourist in 1972, marking the beginning of a new era in tourism. The construction of a major runway in 1976 allowed the country to keep pace with rising international travel demand, a trend that has continued alongside the expansion of tourism.
Significant developments at Velana International Airport , especially since the introduction of a comprehensive master plan in 2008, have seen the airport undergo numerous expansions, including a new terminal to accommodate the increasing number of visitors and cater to the needs of the evolving tourism market. Adapting to Tourism Growth Mihad emphasized that the growth of Velana I.