Shangri-La Villingili Resort in Addu City has officially reopened after a five-year hiatus, marking the return of one of the Maldives’ most significant tourism assets in the southern region and delivering on a pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The resort resumed operations on Tuesday afternoon, bringing an end to a prolonged shutdown that began in April 2020 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the closure formally announced in August 2020.
The reopening is being closely watched across Addu City, where the resort’s suspension had a deep economic and social impact, including the loss of employment for more than 500 workers. Prior to the closure, the resort served as a major anchor for livelihoods and small-business activity in the atoll, supporting household incomes and creating steady demand for a wide range of services, from local supply chains and logistics to transportation and community-based enterprises.
First opened in 2009, Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa was widely regarded as a key contributor to tourism growth in the southern atolls, offering a premium hospitality product that attracted international travellers while providing stable, long-term employment for hundreds of residents. Its presence also strengthened regional connectivity, particularly through Gan International Airport, supporting broader visitation to Addu and helping sustain air links that benefit tourism operators and the local economy alike.
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment said the reopening was finalised following months of discussions with Addu Investments Private Limited and other relevant stakeholders, during which the operator committed to resuming services by the end of the year. As preparations advanced, the Government engaged extensively with the resort’s management, with officials from the Ministry visiting the property to assess required repairs and facilitating the issuance of necessary permits in line with regulations to enable a smooth resumption of operations.
Recruitment efforts for staff began in early November as the resort progressed toward reopening, reflecting renewed momentum in employment opportunities for Addu residents and experienced hospitality professionals seeking to return to the sector. President Dr Muizzu visited the resort last November to inspect the ongoing works, underscoring the national priority placed on restoring major tourism capacity in the south and supporting regional economic activity.
With operations now resumed, the reopening of Shangri-La Villingili Resort is expected to deliver a significant boost to Addu Atoll’s economy through job creation, renewed demand for local suppliers, and increased visitor flows to the southern atolls. Stakeholders anticipate the return of a large-scale resort will also strengthen destination confidence, enhance the tourism offering beyond the central atolls, and contribute to a more balanced distribution of tourism-driven growth across the Maldives.
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