The Tourism Ministry on Sunday (February 8) reopened the bids for 13 areas listed for resort development in Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal and Shaviyani atolls last year.
Some of these areas were listed in mid-2025, before being relisted again in November 2025.
The government wants interested parties to reclaim land in these areas for resort development. All the areas, except two from the Kelaa lagoon, are 200 hectares.
The highest price is listed for three areas in Haa Dhaal Maadhuni reef and Shaviyani Gonaa reef, with the starting acquisition cost at USD 2.1 million.
The cheapest option is the three areas from Haa Dhaal Maafaru, with a starting acquisition cost of USD 1.5 million.
Although smaller than other areas, the two areas allocated in the Kelaa lagoon are expensive. One area costs USD 1.9 million, and the other costs USD 2 million.
Resort development sites, size and price
- Haa Alif Maadhuni reef Plot 1 - 200 hectares, $2.1 million
- Haa Alif Maadhuni reef Plot 2 - 200 hectares, $2.1 million
- Haa Alif Maadhuni reef Plot 3 - 200 hectares, $2.1 million
- Haa Alif Kelaa lagoon Plot 1 - 156.2 hectares, $1.9 million
- Haa Alif Kelaa lagoon Plot 2 - 169.3 hectares, $2 million
- Haa Dhaal Makunudhoo reef Plot 1 - 200 hectares, $1.5 million
- Haa Dhaal Makunudhoo reef Plot 2 - 200 hectares, $1.5 million
- Haa Dhaal Maafaru Plot 1 - 200 hectares, $1.5 million
- Haa Dhaal Maafaru 2 - 200 hectares, $1.5 million
- Haa Dhaal Maafaru 3 - 200 hectares, $1.5 million
- Shaviyani Gonaa reef Plot 1 - 200 ha, $2.1 million
- Shaviyani Gonaa reef Plot 2 - 200 hectares, $2.1 million
- Shaviyani Gonaa reef Plot 3 - 200 hectares, $2.1 million
At least 75 rooms (150 beds) should be developed in all these places. If all the areas are developed, 1,950 beds will be added to the region.
It is the government's policy to develop tourism in the atoll with a few resorts, even by giving special incentives.
The atolls to get special incentives are Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal, Shaviyani, Laamu and Thaa.
In his only meeting with the press in 2025, President Mohamed Muizzu declared that rules would be changed to facilitate tourism in these atolls.
With the concessions, the ministry opened for resort development in these atolls in June last year. The concessions include reducing the rates per hectare for open bidding and cross-subsidised allocations, and waiver of location premium for some lagoons allocated under close bidding.
The concessions available in the areas currently announced for lease include payment of the acquisition cost in two instalments. The first instalment is half of the acquisition cost. The balance is due six years from the date of signing the lease agreement.
However, if the resort is not completed and operations do not start within the first 36 months, the balance of the acquisition cost must be paid within the first quarter following the 36 months.
