37 tourist resorts to be operational when borders reopen

Tourism Ministry has announced that 37 resort islands will be operation when Maldives’ reopens its borders for international travel on July 15.

The Tourism Ministry released a tentative report on resort reopening dates on Monday evening.

According to the information on the report, eight resorts remain operational amid the lockdown; Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Lily Beach Resort in, Lux North Male’ Atoll, Oblu By Atmosphere at Helengeli, Soneva Fushi Resort, Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives – Velavaru, and Velaa Private Island Maldives.

Meanwhile, 29 resorts are scheduled to reopen on July 15. They are:

• Amaya Kuda Rah Maldives
• Cocoon Maldives
• Ellaidhoo Maldives By Cinnamon
• Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
• Furaveri Island Resort & Spa
• Gangehi Island Resort
• Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives
• Hard Rock Hotel
• Kudafushi Resort & Spa
• Mercure Maldives Kooddoo
• Noku Maldives
• Oblu Select by Atmosphere at Sangeli
• Olhuveli Beach and Spa Maldives
• Ozen By Atmosphere At Maadhoo
• Rahaa Resort
• Saii Lagoon
• Soneva Jani
• Taj - Coral Reef Resort & Spa
• Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Maldives
• The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah
• You & Me by Cocoon
• Paradise Island Resort and Spa
• Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives – Ihuru
• Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru
• Constance Halaveli Resort
• Dhiggiri Tourist Resort
• Raddison Blue Resort
• Varu Island Resort
• Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives

Four more resorts are scheduled to reopen later in July; Fihaalhohi Island Resort, One & Only Reethi Rah Maldives, Twin Island Resort and Ayada Maldives.

25 resorts are scheduled to reopen in August, 28 more in September, 47 in October, two more in November, and one in December.

Meanwhile, 10 resorts are not expected to reopen this year. Of the 10 resorts, Vakarufalhi Island Resort is scheduled to reopen in January next year, while five resorts have yet to finalize a reopening date. They are; Filitheyo Island Resort, Shangri - La's Villingili Resort & Spa, Fun Island Resort & Spa, Holiday Island Resort and Spa, and Sun Island Resort and Spa.

Hondaafushi Island Resort, Canareef Resort Maldives, and Royal Island Resort and Spa have announced they have no plans of reopening this year, while Velidhoo Island Resort continues to be used as a quarantine facility.

Maldives, an island nation heavily dependent on tourism as a source of income, suspended issuance of on-arrival visa and closed its borders to international travel on March 27. The Maldivian government has announced that tourists will not need to undergo quarantine or undergo coronavirus tests unless necessary when borders reopen next week.