Tourism Ministry opens bidding for halal tourism projects across five atolls

Ministry of Tourism has designated six islands for halal tourism development and opened bidding for five of them.

These islands are located in Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Thaa, and Laamu Atolls. Hankede in Addu City has also been earmarked for halal tourism, but bidding for that location is yet to open.

The Ministry stated that bidding for Hankede will begin once administrative preparations are complete and assured that it would be opened shortly.

Among the five islands now open for bidding, the lowest lease acquisition cost is for Thaa atoll Maagulhi at USD 189,000 (MVR 2.9 million), while the highest is for a 200-hectare area of Haa Dhaalu atoll Makunudhoo reef, set at USD 1.2 million (MVR 19 million).

• Haa Alifu Beenaafushi and Haa Alifu Kandhaaliffinolhu: USD 392,000 (MVR 6 million)

• Haa Dhaalu Makunudhoo reef – USD 1.2 million (MVR 19 million)

• Shaviyani atoll Fushifaru – USD 234,000 (MVR 3.6 million)

• Thaa atoll Maagulhi – USD 189,000 (MVR 2.9 million)

• Laamu atoll Fonagaadhoo – USD 588,000 (MVR 9.1 million)

Interested parties can express their interest between July 15 and August 4, with the bid submission deadline set for September 1.

The ministry said halal tourism projects must strictly adhere to Islamic guidelines. Transactions involving alcohol and pork will be prohibited, and only halal-certified food and beverages may be served.

Each island must also include Islamic facilities, including two separate mosques, one for tourists and one for staff, with the mosques designed as iconic architectural features. Halal certification will be required for relevant services.