Global bidders invited to shape 15 new island resorts, unveiling halal tourism opportunities across Maldives
8 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 08:55The Maldives Ministry of Tourism has opened international bidding for 15 resort developments across six atolls under 50-year leases. The projects include land reclamation and uninhabited islands, with specific sites in Addu City, Haa Dhaalu, and Laamu reserved for Halal Tourism. Final bids are due in late November following pre-bid sessions
A woman sitting on the deck near a villa at a Maldives resort | iStock
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has initiated an international competitive bidding process to select parties for the construction of 15 resort properties spread across six distinct atolls, featuring dedicated concepts for Halal Tourism.
Following a Thursday statement from the ministry, various islands and reef lagoons allocated for tourism expansion have been made available for long-term lease through a bidding procedure. The designated sites are situated within Haa Alif Atoll, Haa Dhaal Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll, Noonu Atoll, Laamu Atoll, and southernmost Addu City.
Within Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani Atolls, the investment opportunities center on constructing resorts via land creation on specified lagoons. Concurrently, uninhabited landmasses in Shaviyani and Noonu Atolls have been selected for resort creation.
The specific lagoon sites offered for leasing consist of:
- HA. Maadhuni Faru (Zones 1, 2, and 3)
- HDh. Makunudhoo Faru (Zone 2)
- HDh. Maafaru Falhu (Zones 1, 2, and 3)
- Sh. Gonaa Faru (Zones 1, 2, and 3)
The ministry noted that while lagoon areas spanning roughly 200 hectares are being provided for standard resort development, the ventures in Addu City, Haa Dhaalu, and Laamu Atoll are exclusively reserved for a Halal Tourism framework.
Exact development requirements mandate the following:
- HDh. Makunudhoo Falhu: Requires a resort with a minimum capacity of 150 beds.
- L. Fonagaadhoo: Requires a resort with a minimum capacity of 100 beds.
- Addu City (Dhonhera): Requires a resort with a minimum capacity of 100 beds on Dhonhera, along with a neighboring 0.85-hectare uninhabited islet.
The list of available uninhabited islands also features Sh. Nalandhoo and N. Farumuli. The project at Farumuli encompasses a 71.18-hectare lagoon space, along with permission to reclaim an island measuring up to 15 hectares.
According to individual public notices from the ministry, final bid submission dates fall between November 17 and November 23. To assist potential investors, online pre-bid sessions will take place over the months of September and October.
Every site is being offered under a uniform lease tenure of 50 years.
