Tourism Minister: Direct flights between China-Addu to be launched this year

Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal states direct flights between China’s provinces and Maldives’ southernmost Addu City will be launched this year.

Speaking at a PNC event on Thursday night, Minister Faisal said he appealed to launch direct flights to Addu City during a meeting with the vice president of China Eastern Airlines at ITB China held back in May.

“I am sure that it can be achieved very soon, and in this regard, we are working to commence direct flights to Addu from China’s various provinces within this year,” he said.

The Minister criticized former administrations for failing to develop tourism in Addu City. On the contrary, he pointed out that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, during his visit to Addu City for his presidential campaign, pledged to reopen Shangri-La Resort within the first year of his term, adding crucial were being carried out in this trajectory at present.

“In this regard, we formed a special task force for the purpose within the Tourism Ministry following discussions with Shangri-La’s local senior management in the Maldives last week,” he said.

He also affirmed the government’s intention to travel to meet the owners of Shangri-La, if required.

As per the Minister, it is President Muizzu’s wish that works on Shangri-La be completed by December, when he is due to visit Addu City.

Speaking further, Minister Faisal noted that Addu City, at present, had just approximately 850 tourist beds. He detailed that the government envisions developing tourism in Addu City, by linking the city with Fuvahmulah City, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Gaafu Alifu Atoll via direct flights.

The Minister also said efforts were underway to open the opportunity to develop tourism zones in Addu City.

“Tourism industry stakeholders who visited Addu wanted to develop the land plots in the tourism zones allocated by Addu City Council,”

“Henceforth, we are working on allocating securing funds from BML and MIB; to facilitate at least MVR 100 million from each bank to develop these places,” he said.

Minister Faisal underscored that can be increased via the private sector when the funds are arranged. He further said Shangri-La’s owners are interested in reopening the resort once direct flights between Addu City and China is commenced.

The 284-bed Shangri-La was opened in Addu City in 2009, as a luxury resort. The government held 30 percent shares of the resort, while Addu Investment Private Limited, the operator of the resort, held 70 percent of the shares.

The resort which employed are large number of Addu residents closed down in 2020, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Following intense scrutiny over the delays in reopening the resort, the government released its stake in Addu Investment Private Limited, citing its commitment to remove any obstruction in the way of making Shangri-La operational.