The reopening of Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, one of the largest and most prestigious resorts in Addu City, is set to be resolved with a declared reopening date within the next two to three months, according to Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal.
Minister Faisal made the announcement following a meeting with the resort’s management and parliament members from the Maldives. Shangri-La Maldives’ General Manager Brice Lunot was also present at the meeting.
The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to reopening the resort, which provided significant employment opportunities for the people of Addu before its closure in August 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Minister Faisal stated that discussions would be held with the top management of the Shangri-La brand in the coming days to expedite the process.
“With the work underway by the ministry, our goal is to decide on a reopening date within the next two to three months,” Minister Faisal said.
Shangri-La, one of the largest hotel chains based in Hong Kong, opened its doors on Villingili Island in Addu City in 2005. However, the resort shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the previous administration under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih signed an agreement last August to relinquish the government’s 30 percent share in the resort. The government asserted that this decision would facilitate the reopening of the resort and address the concerns of the people of Addu. Despite these assurances, the administration’s term ended last November without any tangible progress towards reopening the resort.
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa is situated approximately a five-minute speedboat ride from Gan International Airport and was renowned as a luxurious tourist destination. During its operation, the resort significantly boosted Addu’s economic activities, attracting numerous private jets to the city and invigorating local businesses.
The reopening of Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa is eagerly anticipated, promising to revitalise the local economy and provide much-needed job opportunities for the residents of Addu.
