Villingili (Seenu Atoll)
Encyclopedia
Villingili is the only resort island
of Seenu Atoll
, Maldives
.
In 1997 the government of the Maldives contracted the American firm Abonmarche to build a large resort and marina there, to attract tourism. Later, the government redacted this contract in 2000 and, finding no other bidders, awarded it to another firm called "Energy Tours" to build a smaller resort. Energy Tours defaulted on this contract.
In 2005 Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
contracted Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, a Hong Kong
-based company, to build the first luxury resort in Addu Atoll
. The resort is being developed by Addu Investment Private Limited (70%) and the Maldivian Government (30%). The resort will cost an estimated USD 150 million and is expected to open in early 2009. Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa will feature a range of 142 villas including two Presidential Villas.
The island is also notable for having the highest natural elevation in the Maldives, an unnamed location of about 2.4 metres / 8 feet above sea level.
Tourism in the Maldives
Tourism is the largest economic industry in the Maldives, as it plays an important role in earning foreign exchange revenues and generating employment in the tertiary sector of the country. The archipelago of the Maldives is the main source of attraction to many tourists visiting the country...
of Seenu Atoll
Seenu Atoll
Addu Atoll, previously also known as Seenu Atoll , is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Addu Atoll, together with Fuvahmulah, located 30 km north of Addu Atoll, extend the Maldives into the Southern Hemisphere. Addu Atoll is located approximately 478 km south of Malé....
, Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
.
In 1997 the government of the Maldives contracted the American firm Abonmarche to build a large resort and marina there, to attract tourism. Later, the government redacted this contract in 2000 and, finding no other bidders, awarded it to another firm called "Energy Tours" to build a smaller resort. Energy Tours defaulted on this contract.
In 2005 Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. After serving as Minister of Transport, he was nominated as President by the Majlis of the Maldives and succeeded Ibrahim Nasir on November 11, 1978. He eventually became the longest-ruling head of government in Asia...
contracted Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, a Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
-based company, to build the first luxury resort in Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll
Addu City is a city in Maldives consisting of the inhabited islands of the southernmost atoll of the archipelago....
. The resort is being developed by Addu Investment Private Limited (70%) and the Maldivian Government (30%). The resort will cost an estimated USD 150 million and is expected to open in early 2009. Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa will feature a range of 142 villas including two Presidential Villas.
The island is also notable for having the highest natural elevation in the Maldives, an unnamed location of about 2.4 metres / 8 feet above sea level.