Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa in southernmost Addu City has been closed indefinitely.
A document sent to resort employees signed by the General Manager of the resort, Rahim Flynn said the business has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the management assessed ways in which the resort’s operations could be resumed. However, the management failed to find a way to resume operation, resulting in the decision to close the business, the letter said.
The new development would mean a large amount of people would lose their jobs. Around 500 individuals from Addu City work at Shangri-La Resort.
The tourism dependent archipelago’s economy has suffered drastically due to the global pandemic. While many resorts ceased operations when the country's borders were closed, the industry is working to resume business operations after the lockdown imposed on the island nation was lifted on July 15.
