The Government has officially designated Dhonhera in Addu City for halal tourism development, marking it as the seventh island announced under the national halal tourism initiative. Applications for the island’s development have now been opened.

Spanning eight hectares, Dhonhera will initially accommodate 100 beds, with additional land reclamation planned to expand its capacity. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the development opportunity is open to both Maldivian and foreign investors.

Under the Tourism Act, the island has been allocated for a five-year period, with a lease acquisition cost of USD 498,420. Developers must complete construction and bring the project into operation within three years of signing the agreement.

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 27 October and 10 November, with bid submissions due on 8 December.

The Government has placed particular emphasis on boosting tourism in Addu City, with parallel efforts to reopen the Shangri-La Resort before the end of the year. The resort has remained closed since 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic.