Canareef Resort in Addu atoll will be reopened in December.
Canareef Resort was closed last year amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to reopen the resort in December this year was disclosed by Addu City Council via a tweet, following a meeting with Canareef management.
During the City Council's visit to Canareef, the councillors viewed resort opening preparations, and discussed the progress with the management. The council said the resort's management assured that the resort will be ready for opening by end of December. Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar assured the resort management that the council would provide assistance in recruiting staff and bringing the resort to operation.
Canareef Resort, located near Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, is the first resort to be opened in Addu. First operated as Herethere Island Resort when it opened in 2007, it closed in June 2020.
The second resort in the atoll, Shangrila Villingili Resort and Spa still remains closed since it was closed due to the global pandemic. Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom recently visited Addu City and discussed reopening the properties with the resorts' owners.
Another property, South Palm Resort is also operated in Addu City. The residents of Addu have voiced concern over the delay in opening Canareef and Sheraton resorts.
Although the government initially planned to conduct Tourism Day celebrations in Addu City, the plans were later canceled.
