Tourism Minister Announces Major Expansion for Shangri-La and Hankede Projects

Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has announced that significant progress is expected for the Shangri-La and Hankede tourism projects starting this month. The updates come as part of a broader government strategy to bolster tourism infrastructure and economic activity in the Maldives' southern region. Addressing the Majlis (the Maldivian Parliament) in response to an inquiry from Hithadhoo Mid MP Ahmed Azaan, Minister Ameen identified the Hankede project as a cornerstone of southern development. He revealed that the government is adopting a new approach to the initiative and expects to release a comprehensive implementation plan, including a timeline for physical construction, within the next two to three weeks. "We are currently undertaking major efforts in a different manner to launch the Hankede project," Minister Ameen stated, confirming that site work is expected to commence in the near future. Parallel to the Hankede development, the Minister announced a substantial increase in the operational capacity of the Shangri-La resort scheduled for mid-July. While the resort officially reopened on December 30, 2025, fulfilling a key presidential pledge by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, it has functioned on a limited scale until now. Following positive negotiations between the Ministry and the resort's operators, the facility will now transition to full-scale operations. These developments are part of a larger effort to decentralize tourism and create new economic opportunities in Addu City and the surrounding southern atolls. The government continues to identify new investment opportunities and development projects to ensure that the benefits of the tourism industry are felt more equitably across the archipelago. By scaling up existing resorts and launching new infrastructure projects, the administration aims to enhance the competitiveness of the south as a premier travel destination, driving both local employment and national GDP growth.