Maldives hotels ordered to shut down spas
04 January 2012
Hundreds of luxury hotels in the Maldives have been called to shut down their spas following protests from an Islamist party which claimed they were a front for prostitution, according to reports.
According to a report by news agency AFP, the tourism ministry instructed all resorts hotels across the nation’s islands to shut spas and health centres offering beauty treatments and massage with immediate effect.
The call came after protests from the opposition Adhaalath party in the capital Male, the report said.
According to local newspaper Minivan news, the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has since filed a case at the civil court challenging the order.
The MATI also applied for an injunction, according to the Minivan report, which if granted would allow resort spas to operate until the case is concluded.
