Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has underscored the importance of establishing direct international flights to Addu City as a critical step toward reopening the Shangri-La Resort and Spa, the largest resort in the region. His remarks were made during the inauguration of the Destination Addu Summit.
Minister Faisal highlighted the unique efforts required to bolster tourism in Addu City, emphasizing that the reopening of Shangri-La Resort and Spa is a key promise of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. He assured that significant progress is being made to fulfill this presidential pledge.
The minister also emphasized that for Addu City to fully reap the benefits of the resort’s reopening, direct international flights to the city are essential. He mentioned that talks are ongoing with various international airlines to establish these direct routes to the southernmost part of the Maldives.
The Shangri-La Resort is renowned for its luxurious offerings, with 284 beds, including 60 water villas, 26 beach villas, 28 pool villas, 16 tree houses, and two presidential villas, spread over 550,000 square meters. The resort initially operated with a 30% government stake and 70% ownership by Addu Investment Private Limited, a joint venture set up to manage the property alongside the government. However, after its closure due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the government relinquished its shares in August 2023. The resort’s closure led to significant job losses for many residents of Addu, who are now eagerly anticipating its reopening.
