Aiming to declare Shangri-La reopening date within 2-3 months: Minister

The long delayed reopening of Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, which is one of the biggest and high standard resorts in Addu City, will be be resolved and the aim is to declare are reopening date for the resort within the next two to three months, said Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal today.

The minister's announcement was made to local media outlet Mihaaru following a meeting with the resort's management and parliament members from the Maldives.

Shangri-La Maldives' General Manager Brice Lunot was also in attendance at the meeting.

According to the minister reopening the resort, which provided job opportunities for many people in Addu but closed down in August 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is something the government really wants.

As such, discussions will be held the top management of the Shangri-La brand in the coming days, he said.

Minister Faisal went on to say that with the work underway by the ministry, the goal is to decide on a reopening date within the next two to three months.

One of the largest hotel chains in Hong Kong, Shangri-La opened its doors in Villingili island of Addu City in 2005. However, the resort shut down during Covid and former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration signed an agreement to let go of the government's 30 percent share of the resort last August.

The government said this would faciliate the reopening of the resort and alleviate the concerns of Addu people. However, despite the government saying so, the administration's term ended last November with no real progress toward's the resort's reopening.

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa is about a five minute speedboat ride away from Gan International Airport and was famous as a wealthy tourist destination. Back when the resort was in operation, Addu's economic activities livened up, and saw many private jets arrive to the city as well.