Maldives forms task force for reopening Shangri-La resort in Addu

Maldives Ministry of Tourism on Thursday announced the formation of a special task force dedicated to reopening the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa in Addu.

The announcement came following a meeting between the Ministry of Tourism, representatives from Shangri-La, and members of parliament from Addu.

“Today, we convened with @ShangriLaHotels management and Addu City MPs to establish a special task force dedicated to reopening the Shangri-La Hotel in Addu. This crucial step underscores our commitment to boosting tourism in the area and achieving significant progress,” the Ministry of Tourism said on X.

The Maldivian government in August 2023 formally divested its 30% ownership in Addu Investment Pvt Ltd, the operator of the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort, which had been shuttered since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The Shangri-La resort, inaugurated in 2009, was forced to close its doors due to the pandemic and has remained inactive ever since. The prolonged closure resulted in job losses for numerous individuals in Addu, and a decline in tourism across the southernmost atoll.

The government’s divestment of its Shangri-La stake was enabled by parliamentary amendments, as the process required a payment of USD 80 million.

The 70% majority ownership of Addu Investments Pvt Ltd, which holds the resort, remains unchanged. Early in 2023, the US investment firm CBRE Group was engaged to market the resort for sale by Addu Investments. However, the status of this sale remains unclear.

Key Details about Shangri-La Villingili Resort:

• Size: 50.6 hectares
• Bed Capacity: 284 beds
• Lease Expires: February 26, 2105