Addu City unveils new tourism brand ‘Beyond the Equator’ at WTM in London

Travel

Addu City celebrated a historic milestone today with the global debut of its new tourism brand identity at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London. Organised in partnership with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Addu Destination Management Office (ADMO), the event presented Addu City’s refreshed image as an essential travel destination, encapsulated by the tagline “Addu: Beyond the Equator.”
The launch, which marked the beginning of the Addu Tourism marketing initiative, was spearheaded by key figures, including the Mayor of Addu City, Ali Nizar; MMPRC Chairman, Abdulla Ghiyas; and MMPRC Managing Director, Ibrahim Shiuree. Each leader expressed Addu’s significant potential and shared a vision for its future as a captivating destination for global travellers.
This brand reveal marks a pivotal point in Addu City’s tourism journey. Throughout WTM, ADMO will engage with international tour operators and travel agents, spotlighting the city’s unique attractions and diverse tourism offerings. The rebranding underscores Addu’s rich heritage, its pristine natural landscapes, and its unique appeal as a destination “Beyond the Equator.”
Choosing to launch Addu City’s tourism brand at the World Travel Market in London was strategically inspired by Addu’s colonial history, particularly its strong ties to Britain during World War II and afterward. Addu Atoll was a key site for British forces, housing a Royal Air Force Base on Gan Island. This historical connection left an enduring legacy, with traces of British architecture, cultural influence, and shared memories still visible in Addu today.

Unveiling “Addu: Beyond the Equator” in London honours this historical bond and reflects the unique relationship between Addu and Britain. The launch positions Addu as a place where travellers can immerse themselves in both the scenic beauty and local culture of the Maldives, as well as in stories that span continents and generations. This debut at WTM London is more than a marketing opportunity; it invites the world, especially British visitors, to rediscover a place where their own history intersects with Addu’s unique heritage, evoking a sense of familiarity while exploring a distinct side of the Maldives.

New Maldives Customs rules end duty-free tobacco, impose stricter limits on tourists

Travel

In line with a stricter approach to regulating tobacco and nicotine products, the Maldives has introduced new measures affecting tourists, retailers, and consumers alike.
The Commissioner General of Customs, Fathimath Dhiyana, has issued directives removing duty exemptions on all tobacco and nicotine items, including products like e-cigarettes and shisha, which previously enjoyed certain import concessions. This change is expected to impact both the availability and cost of these products, influencing the tourism industry as well as the domestic market.
Previously, some duty exemptions applied to tobacco, nicotine products, and related devices, but these have now been fully revoked. Customs officials will strictly enforce this new regulation, ensuring that no duty allowances apply to any tobacco or nicotine products. This marks the third attempt by the government to revoke duty incentives for these products after two earlier deferrals.
Under the policy titled “Duty Exemption on Goods Imported by Tourists, Small Consumer Goods, and Business Samples,” the duty-free allowance for small consumer goods brought by tourists and individuals has been raised to MVR 10,000. However, this increased allowance does not cover tobacco and nicotine products. Tourists bringing nicotine items into the Maldives must now declare them at Customs.

Voters show support for slowing Washington’s natural gas phase-out

Technology

Washington voters on Tuesday were rejecting the state’s aggressive moves to phase out the use of natural gas in homes and other buildings.
A ballot measure that aims to rein in those efforts was passing by a 51.2% to 48.8% margin in a statewide tally.  Vote counting will continue in the days ahead.
Initiative 2066 repeals provisions of a new state law meant to hasten Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas. It also bars cities and counties from prohibiting, penalizing or discouraging the use of gas for heating, appliances and other equipment in buildings. 
The measure, which is 21 pages long, requires utilities and local governments to provide natural gas to eligible customers and prevents approval of utility rate plans that end or restrict access to natural gas, or make it too costly. It also erases state building and energy code requirements designed to get more electric heat pumps – instead of gas furnaces – installed in newly built houses, apartments and commercial buildings.
The Building Industry Association of Washington is the driving force behind the measure. The Washington Hospitality Association, Washington Realtors, Associated General Contractors and Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties are among the other backers.
This coalition paid Let’s Go Washington, a conservative political committee founded by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, to conduct a signature-gathering drive earlier this year to get the initiative onto the ballot. This is the same group that qualified the three other statewide measures that went before voters.
In the campaign, supporters kept it simple, insisting that the state was on a path to outlawing natural gas. Passing the measure, they said, would ensure consumers could choose between natural gas or electrification. 
Critics countered that the measure would force cities, counties and the state to retreat from efforts to promote cleaner and more efficient sources of energy. That would include incentives to developers for constructing new homes with more efficient building technology and rebates to ratepayers for making energy-efficient upgrades.
The measure also will lead to higher housing and energy costs, they argued, citing research that all-electric new homes are cheaper to build and operate than homes with gas appliances.
Opponents say if Initiative 2066 passes, they are prepared to sue. 
They contend it violates a provision in the state constitution that limits the content of citizen initiatives to a single subject. This measure, critics said, deals with at least two different subjects – a law concerning future planning by Puget Sound Energy and an array of changes to the state energy code adopted by the state Building Code Council.
Authors of the initiative disagree. They said the measure was carefully crafted with such a potential challenge in mind and every section addresses protecting the choice to access and use natural gas.