Maldives makes U-turn on spa ban

THE MALDIVES government has placed a moratorium on its controversial ban on spa and massage facilities in the country’s resort hotels, pending a Supreme Court ruling on whether their operation falls foul of the country’s constitution—which is guided by Islamic law.

Last week’s abrupt ban sent shockwaves throughout the local travel industry, which denies charges by religious groups that the high-end spas and massage parlours, an integral component of the various holiday resorts in the Maldives, were fronts for prostitution.

Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed acted quickly to lift the ban following complaints from the travel industry, the main source of income in the country.

A spokesperson for the presidents’ office told TTG Asia e-Daily: “If the court rules that spas are contrary to the constitution, then the government must abide by the court’s ruling and re-impose the ban. But we are pretty confident the court will not rule this way.”

Ajit Gunawardene, deputy chairman of Colombo-based John Keells Group, which operates three up-market resorts in the Maldives, said: “We are relieved and happy that the status quo remains.”

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