Tourism Minister Announces Direct Flights Between China and Addu City
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has announced that direct flights between China’s provinces and Addu City, the southernmost city of the Maldives, will be launched this year.
Speaking at a PNC event on Thursday night, Minister Faisal revealed that he had initiated discussions to establish direct flights to Addu City during a meeting with the vice president of China Eastern Airlines at ITB China in May.
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He expressed confidence that this goal could be achieved very soon and confirmed that efforts are underway to commence direct flights to Addu from various Chinese provinces within this year.
The Minister criticised previous administrations for neglecting the development of tourism in Addu City. In contrast, he highlighted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had pledged to reopen Shangri-La Resort within the first year of his term during his presidential campaign visit to Addu City.
He noted that significant progress was being made towards this objective. Faisal mentioned that a special task force had been formed within the Tourism Ministry following discussions with Shangri-La’s local senior management in the Maldives last week.
Faisal also affirmed the government’s willingness to meet with the owners of Shangri-La if necessary. He stated that President Muizzu aims for the resort’s redevelopment to be completed by December, when he is scheduled to visit Addu City.
Currently, Addu City has approximately 850 tourist beds. Minister Faisal outlined the government’s vision to develop tourism in Addu City by linking it with Fuvahmulah City, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and Gaafu Alifu Atoll through direct flights. Efforts are also underway to create tourism zones in Addu City. Faisal mentioned that stakeholders who visited Addu expressed interest in developing land plots within these zones allocated by the Addu City Council.
The Minister stated that the government is working on securing funds from BML and MIB to facilitate at least MVR 100 million from each bank for the development of these areas. He emphasised that private sector investment could increase once the funds are arranged. Faisal also noted that Shangri-La’s owners are interested in reopening the resort once direct flights between Addu City and China commence.
The 284-bed Shangri-La resort, opened in Addu City in 2009, was a luxury resort with the government holding 30 percent of the shares, and Addu Investment Private Limited holding the remaining 70 percent. The resort, which employed a significant number of Addu residents, closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to criticism over the delays in reopening the resort, the government released its stake in Addu Investment Private Limited, emphasising its commitment to removing any obstacles to making Shangri-La operational again.
