The Government of Maldives has revised the calculation of Lease Acquisition Costs for tourism developments across six designated atolls, strengthening incentives for investors to develop new resorts and tourism projects in regions with significant potential for future growth.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation announced the amendment through the Government Gazette on 18 October 2026, revising the valuation formula established under Regulation R-125/2022 on the leasing of islands, land and lagoons through the cross-subsidisation framework for tourism purposes.
The revised policy applies to tourism development sites in Haa Alif Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll, Thaa Atoll, Laamu Atoll and Addu Atoll. These areas include some of the Maldives’ most promising locations for new resort development, offering investors access to pristine islands, lagoons, marine environments and emerging tourism regions beyond the country’s traditionally concentrated resort zones.
The amendment revises an earlier announcement issued on 29 June 2025 and introduces an adjusted financial baseline for developers seeking to acquire islands, land plots and lagoons for resort and other tourism-related projects within the six designated atolls. The revised concessions are specifically applicable to eligible sites within these northern and southern regions.
By adjusting the Lease Acquisition Cost framework, the Government is seeking to create a more commercially attractive environment for tourism investment while encouraging a broader geographical distribution of resort development. Expanding tourism into additional atolls is expected to create new opportunities for employment, local businesses, transport services, food suppliers and other industries that benefit directly and indirectly from resort operations.
The policy is particularly significant for regions where tourism development has historically remained below the levels seen in central Maldives. New resorts in these atolls could help strengthen regional economies while offering international travellers access to new destinations, distinctive island experiences and less developed areas of the Maldives’ tourism landscape.
The revised rates form part of the Government’s cross-subsidisation model, under which private developers may secure tourism leases through adjusted financial arrangements while contributing towards important public infrastructure projects. The framework enables tourism investment to support wider national development, including regional airports, utilities and other infrastructure needed to improve connectivity and economic activity outside the Greater Malé region.
The approach also creates an important link between high-value resort investment and the development needs of island communities. As tourism projects expand into additional regions, improved infrastructure and connectivity can make previously less-accessible destinations more viable for international resort operations, supporting the long-term expansion and diversification of the Maldives tourism industry.
The revised concessions will apply from 29 June 2025 until 29 July 2027, providing investors and developers with a defined period to explore opportunities under the updated framework.
With the Maldives continuing to attract strong international interest as a premium island destination, the policy adjustment provides further opportunities for developers to enter emerging resort markets while supporting the Government’s broader objective of expanding tourism-led economic growth across the country.
The revised Lease Acquisition Cost calculation formula has been published as part of the official Gazette announcement, providing developers and prospective investors with the detailed financial framework applicable to eligible tourism sites in the six designated atolls.
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