Maldives Hajj Corporation Issues Second Tender For Maafushi City Hotel Project

The Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited has announced a second tender for the construction of a city hotel in K. Maafushi, following the cancellation of the initial bid process in August 2025.

The revised tender was published on Tuesday, inviting both local and international contractors to submit proposals for the project, which will be developed under the corporation’s newly formed subsidiary, Maafushi Islamic Tourism Pvt Ltd (MIT).

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According to the announcement, interested bidders are required to register by Tuesday, 14 October, with a non-refundable registration fee of MVR 30,000 or USD 2,000. Those who paid the fee under the first tender will not need to pay again, while participants who registered but did not make the payment must do so to take part in the new bidding process.

The bid opening session is scheduled for 13 November at the Hajj Corporation headquarters in Malé. All bids must be submitted in sealed physical format and will be opened in the presence of attending bidders. The bid security has been set at MVR 800,000, valid for 120 days from the date of opening. The corporation has not yet disclosed details such as the number of rooms planned for the proposed hotel.

The project forms part of the Hajj Corporation’s strategy to diversify its revenue through halal tourism ventures. Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel previously announced in November 2024 that Maafushi Islamic Tourism Pvt Ltd, established in October 2024, would manage such initiatives.

However, the corporation’s move into the hospitality sector has drawn scrutiny. During a Parliament session in December 2024, Finance Minister Moosa Zameer questioned the appropriateness of the Hajj Corporation’s involvement in hotel and guesthouse development, advising that state-owned enterprises focus on their core mandates.

In response, Shakeel stated that the corporation would comply with the ministry’s guidance. He noted that the Hajj Corporation currently subsidises the cost of each pilgrim by nearly MVR 100,000, charging a fee of MVR 69,000, and therefore needs alternative income sources to sustain operations.

Maafushi, one of the country’s largest guesthouse islands, continues to attract tourism investment. The proposed city hotel aims to strengthen the island’s tourism infrastructure by promoting Islamic hospitality and halal tourism experiences.