Maldives tourism under threat
The demands of a conservative Islamic religious group are threatening to have a major impact on tourism to the Maldives.
Over the weekend, the government asked all resorts in Maldives to shut down their spas, claiming that they are being run as brothels.
Luxury resort operators – including many of the biggest names in the industry – are urging the government to reconsider their decision to shut down the spas.
The government also wants a total ban on alcohol and pork in the Maldives, again following demands made by religious protestors.
Israel’s El Al airline is also to be blocked from operating to the Maldives.
A government press secretary said that the businessmen involved in the tourism sector would have to play a major role in preventing the Israeli national airline from commencing operations to the Maldives.
"When tourists want to come they will first book the resort before booking the airline and if the resorts cancel their bookings they will not come to the Maldives.
“The airline will stop operations because it cannot run the business if there won't be any passengers to travel," the spokesman, quoted by local media, said.
According to the BBC, industry sources say that they expect the government eventually to revoke the decision on spas because of the huge revenue earned from the business.
THE MOLE SAYS: Tourism is a key foreign exchange earner for the Maldives. The country would have a sizeable hole blown in its economy if the many luxury resorts were forced to close their spas, which are a big attraction for tourists visiting the islands.
President Mohamed Nasheed, who says he wants a "tolerant" form of Islam in the country, quickly needs to reassure the tourism industry that the influence of hardline Islamic parties will not be allowed to cripple their operations.
Ian Jarrett
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