THE Maldives’ first resort designed and operated on Islamic principles will launch in October, with the aim of becoming a holiday destination for Muslims throughout the world.
The joint venture agreement between Maldives’ ADK Group and Turkey’s Caprice Gold Group, was signed on January 22.
The latter, which has experience in such Muslim-friendly properties, is investing US$170 million in the five-star, 673-room resort on Shaviyani Atoll. It is located 50 minutes from the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport by seaplane.
The resort will offer a separate, secluded beach for ladies, pool villas for couples and a certified halal buffet at all restaurants. No alcohol or pork will be sold within its premises.
ADK Group owner Ahmed Nashid told reporters the resort will be the largest and first Islamic resort in the Maldives, aimed at becoming a holiday destination for Muslims throughout the world.
Caprice Gold operates a Muslim-friendly five-star, 728-room hotel in Didim, Turkey and is currently developing a similar resort with 1,300 rooms and a Caprice Gold Mosque opposite the hotel to be opened in 2014/2015 in Istanbul.
Earlier efforts to launch a shariah-compliant resort by a UAE hospitality group and Maldivian investor in 2011 had failed.
