Exclusive resorts the Maldives - a favourite with honeymooners - are fighting a ban on their luxury spas after the government shut them down in an apparent bid to appease 'Islamist campaigners'.
The president of the Indian Ocean archipelago announced over the weekend that all spas and massage parlours should be closed as Islamist opposition parties believed they were a front for prostitution.
However, the country's tourism association has declared that the decision threatens the Maldives' lucrative tourism industry, which sees celebrities and honeymooners flock to its many atolls.
Sim Ibrahim, from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) said he hoped the law would be overturned as the organisation filed two cases in civil courts to try and revoke the ban.
MATI's lawyer Azima Shukoor said: 'The circular violates the lease agreement signed between the government and resort owners and the constitution rights to protect investors.'
She also added that the association had also applied for a temporary injunction.
President Mohamed Nasheed's office released a statement over the weekend saying: 'The government has decided to close massage parlors and spas in the Maldives, following an opposition-led religious protest last week calling for their closure.'
There are also fears among the travel industry that a current ban on people bringing alcohol into the country could be expanded to prevent the sale of alcohol anywhere across the islands, meaning hotels and resorts could be stopped from serving alcoholic drinks altogether.
The statement from the President's office said: 'Ironically, the same opposition leaders who railed against spas and the selling of alcohol and pork to tourists are some of the country's biggest resort owners.'
However, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's opposition coalition Progressive Party of Maldives denied they had campaigned for a complete spa ban, saying the government move was simply a way of damaging leisure business owned by fellow opposition members.
'We never asked for the ban,' PPM spokesman Ahamed Mahloof said. 'We wanted the liquor and massage clinics banned in inhabited islands to prevent prostitution and spread of drugs and alcohol to locals.
'Nasheed is misusing the demands to take revenge by imposing the ban on resorts owned by the opposition members.'
The Indian Ocean archipelago’s £1billion tourism sector would suffer badly as a result of the ban.
Mr Ibrahim said: 'Sex tourism definitely does not happen in the resorts.
'The ban is very disruptive, not helpful for tourism and bad for our country's image. We have asked for legal clarity to protect an industry that has been in operation for 40 years.'
Model Naomi Campbell, Dragon's Den star James Caan, TV presenters Tess Daly and Fern Cotton and Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli are among some of the celebrity fans of the Maldives.
Most of the resorts on the islands feature large spas and many of them are used as a selling point to attract visitors.
The spa is a highlight of the One & Only Reethi Rah, one of the Maldives’ most expensive resorts, and features crystal steam rooms and ice fountains.
At Soneva Gili, the resort’s Six Senses Spa features glass floor-panels and treatments that can last up to six hours while Huvafen Fushi boasts the world’s first underwater spa rooms.
Despite the government ban, a spokesman for Huvafen Fushi told AFP that their spa was accepting bookings for the New Year.
‘We have heard of this report, but our spa is open,’ a Huvafen Fushi manager said.
The Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huras charges $600 for a two-and-a-half hour spa treatment, according to the resort's website. Other resorts also charge similar amounts
The country's tourism minister said the move has already prompted calls from resorts affected.
'Several have raised concerns over our decision. We are considering allowing resorts to operate spas. They are also aware of the reasons that led us to take the decision,' Tourism Minister Mariyam Zulfa said.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2081693/Maldives-spa-ban-slammed-representatives-1billion-tourism-industry.html#ixzz1iP47xs3p
Crosswoods holidays 2011
The president of the Indian Ocean archipelago announced over the weekend that all spas and massage parlours should be closed as Islamist opposition parties believed they were a front for prostitution.
However, the country's tourism association has declared that the decision threatens the Maldives' lucrative tourism industry, which sees celebrities and honeymooners flock to its many atolls.
Selling point: The spa is one of the highlights of the One & Only Reethi Rah
Sim Ibrahim, from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) said he hoped the law would be overturned as the organisation filed two cases in civil courts to try and revoke the ban.
MATI's lawyer Azima Shukoor said: 'The circular violates the lease agreement signed between the government and resort owners and the constitution rights to protect investors.'
She also added that the association had also applied for a temporary injunction.
President Mohamed Nasheed's office released a statement over the weekend saying: 'The government has decided to close massage parlors and spas in the Maldives, following an opposition-led religious protest last week calling for their closure.'
There are also fears among the travel industry that a current ban on people bringing alcohol into the country could be expanded to prevent the sale of alcohol anywhere across the islands, meaning hotels and resorts could be stopped from serving alcoholic drinks altogether.
The statement from the President's office said: 'Ironically, the same opposition leaders who railed against spas and the selling of alcohol and pork to tourists are some of the country's biggest resort owners.'
Protestors demonstrate in the Maldives last week. They are calling on the government to enforce strict Islamic law
However, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's opposition coalition Progressive Party of Maldives denied they had campaigned for a complete spa ban, saying the government move was simply a way of damaging leisure business owned by fellow opposition members.
'We never asked for the ban,' PPM spokesman Ahamed Mahloof said. 'We wanted the liquor and massage clinics banned in inhabited islands to prevent prostitution and spread of drugs and alcohol to locals.
'Nasheed is misusing the demands to take revenge by imposing the ban on resorts owned by the opposition members.'
The Indian Ocean archipelago’s £1billion tourism sector would suffer badly as a result of the ban.
Mr Ibrahim said: 'Sex tourism definitely does not happen in the resorts.
'The ban is very disruptive, not helpful for tourism and bad for our country's image. We have asked for legal clarity to protect an industry that has been in operation for 40 years.'
Making a splash: Huvafen Fushi boasts the world's first underwater spa rooms
Model Naomi Campbell, Dragon's Den star James Caan, TV presenters Tess Daly and Fern Cotton and Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli are among some of the celebrity fans of the Maldives.
Most of the resorts on the islands feature large spas and many of them are used as a selling point to attract visitors.
The spa is a highlight of the One & Only Reethi Rah, one of the Maldives’ most expensive resorts, and features crystal steam rooms and ice fountains.
At Soneva Gili, the resort’s Six Senses Spa features glass floor-panels and treatments that can last up to six hours while Huvafen Fushi boasts the world’s first underwater spa rooms.
Despite the government ban, a spokesman for Huvafen Fushi told AFP that their spa was accepting bookings for the New Year.
‘We have heard of this report, but our spa is open,’ a Huvafen Fushi manager said.
The Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huras charges $600 for a two-and-a-half hour spa treatment, according to the resort's website. Other resorts also charge similar amounts
The country's tourism minister said the move has already prompted calls from resorts affected.
'Several have raised concerns over our decision. We are considering allowing resorts to operate spas. They are also aware of the reasons that led us to take the decision,' Tourism Minister Mariyam Zulfa said.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2081693/Maldives-spa-ban-slammed-representatives-1billion-tourism-industry.html#ixzz1iP47xs3p
Crosswoods holidays 2011
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