Maldivian Spas still making world headlines!

The government announced last Tuesday, their intention of prohibiting the sale of alcohol and pork as well as the operation of spas in all Maldivian resorts, citing response to the demands made at the mass protest as a reason.

So far, the only action taken by the government is the order to close down all spas. This has been the top story regarding Maldives in international media for the past four days.

“Maldives government closes all luxury spas”, reads a headline in the English newspaper, The Independent. The short article which follows, notes that this poses a threat to the tourism industry of the Maldives, which contributes to 30% of the country’s GDP.

In neighboring India, the newspaper Times of India of yesterday included a headline “Hundreds of Spas shut down in Maldives”. This article says that one week after the religious protests by opposition parties, the government has ordered the closure of all spas in the country. It also says that this was the government’s response to the demands made at the protest.

Several reports have been received today as well, regarding reports on the Maldives government ordering the closure of all spas in the country in newspapers worldwide. Some comments made on these articles include mockery and ridicule towards Maldives.

“Close all spas and end tourism as well! And then join Pakistan in the beggars’ queue to the White House!” reads one comment regarding the news about the Maldives government ordering the closure of all spas.

The government is being criticized by the elite of the Maldivian tourism industry, for ordering the closure of spas operated in the resorts. The opposition parties as well as those in favor of the government are of the same opinion on this issue. However, the religious leaders who initiated the mass protest on 23 December are keeping their silence regarding this action by the government.