Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has identified the United Kingdom as a crucial market for promoting Addu City as a premier tourist destination. Speaking at the “Destination Addu-Summit 2024” held today, the Minister emphasised the historical connections between Addu City and the UK, highlighting the strategic advantage this offers for tourism promotion.
“Addu City is a place where the British once lived. I recently met with our Heritage Minister, and together we can promote Addu City to the British market,” Minister Faisal stated during the summit. As part of this initiative, British-built structures in Addu City are set to undergo renovations to further appeal to potential UK visitors. The Minister also advocated for the Addu City Council’s participation in the World Travel Market (WTM) in the UK, citing the significant benefits of such international exposure.
In addition to promoting Addu City in the UK, Minister Faisal announced that a special plan is being formulated to develop tourism in the region. A central component of this plan is the renovation of the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, a project that has become a top priority for the government.
During the summit, the Minister revealed that an estimated USD 25 million (MVR 386 million) is needed to bring the now-closed Shangri-La Villingili Resort back into operation. This resort, once a flagship destination in Addu City, ceased operations during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to the loss of approximately 500 jobs and a significant economic downturn in the region.
“We discussed how Shangri-La can be brought back into operation during the meeting. This assessment led us to believe that the efforts, which include substantial renovation work, will be time-consuming and will cost nearly USD 25 million. A decision was made to address the matter with Shangri-La’s owners, and invitations were extended,” said Minister Faisal. He also expressed his intention to personally engage with the resort’s owners to expedite the renovation process.
The Shangri-La Villingili Resort, developed in 2005 in collaboration with Shangri-La, one of Hong Kong’s largest hotel businesses, was a significant contributor to Addu City’s economy. The resort’s reopening is anticipated to revitalise the local economy, boosting employment and increasing the flow of capital within the region.
Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar, who also spoke at the summit, praised Addu City’s unique characteristics and substantial human resources, asserting that the city is well-positioned for tourism development. He pointed out that Addu offers a wide range of tourism experiences and has the potential to become a leading destination in the Maldives.
Despite these opportunities, Mayor Nizar expressed disappointment over the lack of local investment in the tourism sector, urging the people of Addu City to take a more proactive role in the region’s economic revival. “I believe that more collaborative efforts will yield results. We can pave the way and provide encouragement, but the power to achieve this lies in the hands of the people of Addu City,” he said.
The government’s strategic focus on the UK market, coupled with the renovation of the Shangri-La Resort, is expected to play a crucial role in the resurgence of Addu City’s tourism industry. With a renewed emphasis on local participation and international promotion, Addu City is poised to reclaim its status as a key tourism hub in the Maldives.
