The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation have announced a bidding process for the development of 15 tourist resorts in 6 atolls.

As per the individual announcements, they are also seeking companies that can operate halal tourism resorts in three islands.

The areas that have been set aside for halal tourism are a 200 hectare lagoon from HDh. Makunudhoo, an 8.18 hectare plot from L. Fonagaadhoo and a 10.23 hectare area from S. Dhonhera. The resort in Makunudhoo is to have a resort with a minimum of 150 beds, with the resorts in Fonagaadhoo and Dhonhera to have a minimum of 100 beds.

The announcements read that resorts in those islands are to be operated in compliance with Islamic principles. Pork and alcohol will be banned in those resorts, with a certificate for the sale of halal food to be provided and separate wellness services to be provided for men and women. Two separate mosques for staff and tourists are to be developed as well.

10 lagoons in northern Maldives are also included in the development of resorts. 

This includes three lagoons in HA. Maadhuni, HDh. Makunudhoo, four lagoons in Maafaru and three lagoons in Sh. Gonaa. 200 hectares from each lagoon will be set aside for resort development, with each resort to have a minimum of 150 beds.

The lease acquisition cost for each lagoon is between USD 1.5 million and USD 2.1 million.

Additionally, the Tourism Ministry announced that they are seeking a company to operate resorts at two uninhabited islands, which are Sh. Nalandhoo and N. Farumuli.

Nalandhoo is blessed with natural beauty, with the previous government having made three separate announcements to develop a resort at the island. The island has a long lease for fisheries purposes by a private entity, but it is unclear why the efforts at the island did not move forward.

The announcements stated that the companies that submit bids to develop a resort in Nalandhoo are to have a financial capacity of USD 10 million, with the Farumuli acquisition cost being at USD 2.25 million. The announcements also read that the resort to be developed at Nalandhoo is to have a minimum of 200 beds, with the resort to be developed at Farumuli to have a minimum of 150 beds.

The deadline to develop these resorts was three years, with them to be rented for a 50-year period.

The deadline to submit bids for the projects that have been individually announced is between 17th November and 23rd November.

The government has decided to offer special benefits to companies that submit bids for the development of resorts at the islands and lagoons. While general resorts have a 15 percent import duty, halal tourism projects get 20 percent.