Maldives Does "About Face" On Spa Ban

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Posted: 05 Jan 2012 | 9:41 am

In a strangely politically edged public debate over Islamic fundamentalism versus luxury tourism the government of the Maldives has lifted a spa ban for hotels.

While the President has ordered authorities to repeal the action, at the same time the country is waiting for the Supreme Court to make a constitutional ruling on the legitimacy of the spa industry.

Sensational stories of religious extremism hit the global media after news of the ban leaked out.

Damage to the tourism sector remains of key concern in a country highly leveraged in the sector.

Expect to hear more from this one in the days ahead, but ultimately it's about political factions rather than a shift in the national ideology.

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