The first five-star hotel in the Male’ area, Barceló Nasandhura, has officially opened. Developed by Spain’s Barceló Group, the 16-storey property features a range of modern amenities and services.
The Barceló Nasandhura Hotel was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim. The opening ceremony was attended by cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors, tourism industry professionals and other distinguished guests.
The Barceló Nasandhura features 136 rooms, 95 of which have sea views. The hotel offers 116 high-end serviced apartments, and includes a host of modern amenities. The opening comes a decade after the closure of the iconic Nasandhura Palace Hotel. The hotel represents a USD 100 million investment by the Barceló Group.
Speaking at the event, Minister Thoriq said the Nasandhura Hotel has a history of revolutionising tourism in the Male’ region. He expressed hope that the Barceló Group’s investment would honour that legacy while elevating standards in the city’s hospitality sector.
The Minister added that the hotel will transform the tourism sector and pave the way for the growth of high-end tourism in Male’ area.
"The conference facilities here offer a diverse range of high-quality services. This will open new doors for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. They will also serve as an important platform for exchanging ideas and networking," the Minister said.
In his speech, Minister Thoriq noted that while the Maldives’ tourism industry continues to achieve remarkable successes, the government is committed to building on the achievements of the industry. The Minister said the top priority in this endeavor is to develop sustainable tourism.
"We are particularly focused on increasing sustainability. These include efforts linked to energy, environmental management, waste management and water conservation. We hope the Barceló Group will play a leading role in promoting sustainable tourism,” the Minister said.
Speaking on behalf of the Barceló Group, the hotel's General Manager Enrique Reina Canitrot said the hotel is proud to open its doors with the aim of providing excellent service. The group believes the facility will deliver exceptional and meaningful services, he said.