Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed, has announced the new islands and lagoons available for lease for tourism development.

Speaking at the “Burabi” function held to announce the islands and lagoons for tourism lease on Tuesday night, Minister Waheed stated that the list was made after careful analysis and evaluations in a way that will benefit the common man as tourism is connected to the hopes of the people, and after consultations with industry experts and relevant authorities.

While the most profitable avenues for the people were put into consideration when listing the islands and lagoons, this was an electoral pledge by the incumbent president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Parliamentarians, councilors and ministries were consulted in order to compile a list of islands and lagoons fit for tourism development.

Land to be allocated for tourism are as follows;

1. 16.67 hectares in Addu City, including 4,200 job opportunities,

2. 2.07 hectares in Fuvahmulah City, including 432 job opportunities,

3. 0.5 hectares in Vaadhoo, Gaaf Alif atoll,

4. 19.86 hectares in Gan, Laamu atoll,

5. 0.5 hectares in Nolhivaranfaru, Haa Dhaal atoll,

6. 8.5 hectares in Kelaa, Haa Alif and

7. 23.25 hectares in Uligamu, Haa Alif.

Islands to be put up for lease for tourism are as follows;

1. 14 hectares of land with 425 beds, 637 job opportunities in Maafinolhu, Haa Alif atoll,

2. 60 hectares of land with 1,000 beds, 2,000 job opportunities in Dhapparu, Haa Alif atoll,

3. 10.90 hectares of land with 317 beds, 400 job opportunities in Medhafushi, Haa Alif atoll,

4. Three hectares of land with 233 beds, 349 job opportunities in Alidhuffaru, Haa Alif atoll,

5. 19.10 hectares of land with 500 beds, 800 job opportunities in Hon’daidhoo, Haa Dhaal atoll,

6. 1.20 hectares of land with 233 beds, 349 job opportunities in Kudafarufasgandu, Haa Dhaal atoll,

7. 15 hectares of land with 436 beds, 600 job opportunities in Vaikaramuraidhoo, Haa Dhaal atoll,

8. 60 hectares of land with 1,700 beds, 2,000 job opportunities in Nalandhoo, Shaviyani atoll,

9. 14.70 hectares of land with 400 beds, 600 job opportunities in Kudalhaimendhoo, Shaviyani atoll,

10. 5.20 hectares of land with 233 beds, 349 job opportunities in Fushifaru, Shaviyani atoll,

11. 8.60 hectares of land with 250 beds, 300 job opportunities in Kunnamalai, Noonu atoll,

12. Reclaiming 10 hectares of land with 200 beds, 400 job opportunities in Alifushi, Raa atoll,

13. 4.28 hectares of land with 200 beds, 300 job opportunities in Seedheehuraa, Meemu atoll,

14. 1.80 hectares of land with 200 beds, 300 job opportunities in Boahuraa, Meemu atoll,

15. One hectare of land with 200 beds, 300 job opportunities in Em’bulufushi, Faafu atoll,

16. 0.89 hectares of land with 200 beds, 300 job opportunities in Jinnathugau, Faafu atoll,

17. 3.90 hectares of land with 200 beds, 300 job opportunities in Kaaddoo, Thaa atoll,

18. 10 hectares of land with 200 beds, 400 job opportunities in Kanimeedhoo, Thaa atoll,

19. 3.54 hectares of land with 200 beds, 300 job opportunities in Olhufushifinolhu, Thaa atoll,

20. 3.10 hectares of land with 233 beds, 349 job opportunities in Kashidhoo, Laamu atoll,

21. 3 hectares of land with 233 beds, 349 job opportunities in Bodumunyafushi, Laamu atoll,

22. 3 hectares of land with 233 beds, 349 job opportunities in Dhonberaha, Laamu atoll,

23. 17 hectares of land with 494 beds, 742 job opportunities in Maarehaa, Gaaf Alif atoll,

24. Five hectares of land with 145 beds, 218 job opportunities in Funadhoovillingillaa, Gaaf Alif atoll,

25. 7.40 hectares of land with 215 beds, 323 job opportunities in Kandahalagalaa, Gaaf Dhaal atoll,

26. 7 hectares of land with 233 beds, 349 job opportunities in Fereythavillingillaa, Gaaf Dhaal atoll,

27. 6.4 hectares of land with Dhigurehaa with 200 beds, 300 job opportunities in Kadavaarehaa, Gaaf Dhaal atoll, and

28. 7.10 hectares of land with 207 beds, 309 job opportunities in Hanken’de, Seenu atoll.

Further, Minister Waheed revealed that the islands will be developed in a way that will preserve it’s natural beauty in a “Jazeera Raajje” concept and with the development, beds and job opportunities will increase to 13,720 beds and 18,772 jobs.

The country saw the arrival of its 1.6 millionth tourist on15 December, said Waheed, who added that the tourism industry has progressed remarkably within the first year of the incumbent government.

The current administration has put in immense efforts to develop the industry, while keeping in mind to carry out projects in a way that people may benefit from.

In October, 27 islands were assessed for local tourism.