Sex claims force luxury resorts to close spas

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This was published 12 years ago

Sex claims force luxury resorts to close spas

The Maldives' tourism ministry has instructed all resort hotels across the country's 1192 tiny coral islands to shut their spas and health centres with immediate effect.

The Maldives' tourism ministry has instructed all resort hotels across the country's 1192 tiny coral islands to shut their spas and health centres with immediate effect.Credit: AFP

The Maldives has ordered hundreds of luxury hotels to close their spas after protests by an Islamist party, which claimed they were a front for prostitution, an official says.

The Tourism Ministry instructed all resort hotels across the country's 1192 tiny coral islands to shut their spas and health centres with immediate effect.

The opposition Adhaalath party, a socially conservative movement whose website features an article criticising "lustful music", staged protests in the capital Male last week accusing spas of being used as brothels.

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"An Islamic party has been agitating against spas hoping to embarrass the government," an official said by telephone, confirming Thursday's ministry order but asking not to be named.

Pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters attract honeymooners and celebrities from around the world to the Indian Ocean nation, pumping in $US1.5 billion to the economy, or 30 per cent of GDP, annually by travellers willing to spend as much as $US1000 a night at hideaway resorts.

The Maldives this year received more than 850,000 tourists, drawn to its secluded islands known for turquoise blue lagoons, flourishing corals and reefs filled with multi-coloured fish.

The Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huras in the Maldives charges $US600 for a two-and-a-half hour spa treatment, according to the resort's website. Other resorts also charge similar amounts.

The Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huras in the Maldives charges $US600 for a two-and-a-half hour spa treatment, according to the resort's website. Other resorts also charge similar amounts.

But the government bowed to the pressure less than a week after President Mohamed Nasheed called for a "tolerant" form of Islam in his nation of 330,000 people, who by law are all Muslims.

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He urged Maldivians to reject religious extremism and support the more liberal "traditional form" of Islam that has been practised in the Maldives for centuries.

"I asked you to come here in support of the middle, tolerant path," Mr Nasheed, who came to power in the country's first democratic elections in 2008, told ruling party supporters last week.

The government move to shut spas will directly affect an opposition leader, Gasim Ibrahim, head of the Jumhoory Party, who owns five, the independent Minivan news website reported.

It said they were asked to shut down this week before the government's blanket ban on Thursday, and the companies had sought court intervention to remain in business. Thursday's order applied to all spas in the country.

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's opposition coalition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) said the government move was aimed at leisure business owned by some opposition members.

"We never asked for the ban," PPM spokesman Ahamed Mahloof told Reuters.

"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 Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huras in the Maldives charges $US600 for a 2½ hour spa treatment, according to the resort's website. Other resorts charge similar amounts.

The country's tourism minister said the move had 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 was quoted as saying on the local Haveeru News Service.

AFP, Reuters

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