Maldives seeks major recovery target by March

Tourism contributes over 30 per cent of the country's GDP and the high-end resorts had become increasingly popular for premium incentive programmes. Malé International Airport is in full operation and transfers between airport and resort islands by seaplane and speed boats are continuing, according to the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. Out of the 87 resort islands in the Maldives, 63 resorts are now in operation; 20 resorts are closed due to varying degrees of damage caused by the tsunami; and four resorts were under construction before the incident. The MTPB aims to reach 80 percent occupancy by mid-March. Because of the 'One Island - One Resort' concept of resort development practiced in the Maldives, the after-effects of the Asian tsunami have not been so severe. In the Maldives each resort has its own infrastructure including the island's own power supply, sewerage system, water supply and other support facilities. Hence, the usual post-disaster risks such as water contamination and diseases are negligible.