The Ministry of Tourism has added three islands to the list of islands permitted to be leased for tourism development without open bidding.

In the list of islands and lagoons to be leased for tourism development published on Monday, the ministry added Raa atoll Villingili and two islands of Gaaf Ali atoll, Hulhimendhoo and Odagallaa.

The highest acquisition cost is for Villingili, which is estimated to be USD 2,070,000 for 3.60 hectares. The estimated acquisition cost of Gaaf Alif Hulhimendhoo is USD 650,000 for 5.20 hectares, and the cost of acquiring Odagallaa is USD 96,250 for 0.77 hectares.

The ministry published these estimations based on the statistics currently shown on their records, however, they will be able to confirm the actual acquisition cost once a thorough survey is conducted and a report is compiled on the islands.

The Tourism Act was amended in 2016, allowing leasing of islands and lagoons without open bidding, followed by a regulation on submitting proposals for leasing for tourism development.