Tourism Ministry Opens Bids for Resorts in 13 Lagoons and Halal Tourism Islands

The Ministry of Tourism has announced that bids have been opened for the development of tourist resorts in 13 lagoons and three islands designated for halal tourism.

The halal tourism zones are intended to meet the needs of Muslim travellers while remaining open and accessible to all visitors. According to the Ministry, halal tourism developments will be permitted in the H.Dh. Makunudhoo lagoon area, L. Fonagaadhoo, and Dhonhera in Addu City.

Dhonhera has already been opened for bidding. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had announced in June last year that halal tourism would be developed in Hankede, Addu City. Following public criticism, the Ministry of Tourism stated in October that the President had decided to relocate the halal tourism project from Hankede to Dhonhera.

In addition to the halal tourism sites, the Ministry has opened bidding for resort development in 13 lagoons across several atolls. These include three lagoons in H.A. Maadhuni, two lagoons in Kelaa, two lagoons in Makunudhoo, three lagoons in Maafaru, and three lagoons in Gonaa.

The deadline for submitting bids for the halal tourism islands is 09:00 on 6 April, while bids for lagoon resort developments will be accepted until 11:00 on the same day.

Bidding documents are available from the Ministry of Tourism reception between 09:00 and 13:00 on working days until 5 April. The documents can also be requested via email at planning@tourism.gov.mv.

During his presidential address on Thursday, President Muizzu stated that the government aims to develop at least 10 new resorts within the next three years, with every Maldivian becoming a shareholder in the projects.

He also stated that foreign currency earnings generated from the resorts would be deposited directly into the accounts of all Maldivian ID holders, with an estimated annual payout of USD 400 per citizen.