Councils authorised to permit spas in residential islands
City hotels and guesthouses operating in residential areas are not covered by the amendment to the regulation
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By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
With the exception of spas in city hotels and guesthouses operating in residential areas, local councils will have the authority to grant permission to spas to operate in inhabited island, according to new amendments to the spa regulations made by the economic ministry on Thursday.
According to the second amendment to the regulation, the ministry will have to approach the island council to decide whether such a service can be provided in an island, when a party seeks permission from the ministry to provide spa services in inhabited islands.
The council's decision after the ministry's request is the final decision regarding the running of spa business in the island.
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City hotels and guesthouses operating in residential areas are not covered by the amendment to the regulation
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The clause that earlier mandated the economic ministry to oversee the standards of spas has been dropped
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The regulation now allows any party appointed by the ministry to inspect spas
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The inspection fee has been raised from MVR 1,000 to MVR 2,000.
The regulations apply to:
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Integrated tourism developments or where more than one resort and additional services are available at the same location; e.g. Crossroads
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Resorts
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Liveaboard vessels
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Spa service providers at airports
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Spa service providers in uninhabited islands
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Spa service providers in inhabited islands
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Spa services in guesthouses and hotels operating in residential islands
