Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has said that the Government is working with China to arrange direct flights to promote tourism in Addu City.

Speaking at a public meeting held at PNC office on Thursday evening, Faisal said that as part of the election campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had visited Addu and promised the people of the city that Shangri-La resort would be brought back into operation.

Stating that the Tourism Ministry is already in the process of fulfilling this commitment, he said that he had met with the management of Shangri-La and the management of Shangri-La in the Maldives last week to discuss the opening of the resort.

"The question they posed was what was the government's plan for Addu? President Dr. Muizzu has a great vision for Addu tourism development. I met the President recently. He said he would like to visit Addu in December this year and that he would like to see that tourism in Addu city is completed," Faisal said.

Faisal added that he had met with the Vice President of China Eastern Airlines during ITB China and requested him to commence flights to Addu, adding that as part of the close relationship between President Dr. Muizzu's government and the Government of China, direct flights from various provinces of China are being brought to Addu this year.

Faisal said the government aims to build a sea plane terminal in Addu city and connect tourists arriving by Chinese flights with Huvadhoo Atoll and Fuvahmulah, to boost tourism in the southern region.