Dhoogas Hotel reopens as Gan Island Retreat

Dhoogas Hotel, in Gan, Addu City, has been reopened after development of the property as a resort hotel, as Gan Island Retreat, by the new owners MVK Maldives. The new resort hotel was reopened last Saturday.

Dhoogas Hotel was given to MVK without a bid, under arrangements made between the government and MVK according to which MVK would manage travel and transport services in and between Fuvammulah and Addu City. The hotel has been rented to MVK for a period of 50 years.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the Maldives has stated that the government has given Dhoogas to MVK in violation of the Constitution, the Tourism Act and the Act on Government Finance. However, the government has not heeded to the statements of ACC.

Ibrahim Shafeeq, Managing Director of MVK said today that the resort hotel contained 50 beds, and that a reception area, bar, and restaurant have been newly added to the hotel. Alcoholic drinks would now be served at the hotel as well.

Dhoogas was formerly operated by the Maldivian government as a guest house, and back then, the hotel did not serve alcoholic drinks.

President Nasheed spoke about the new resort hotel in his last Friday Address, and said that Dhoogas was redeveloped as a “beautiful hotel” and that 140 Maldivians would work in the running of the hotel with only 5 expatriates. “I am sure that the hotel would provide excellent services during the upcoming SAARC Summit”, said the President.