President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has established a new state-owned company, Dhiveheenge Resort Hihsaa Corporation (DRHC), as part of the Government’s broader vision to expand the Maldives’ tourism economy while ensuring that the benefits generated by the country’s most important industry are shared more directly with Maldivian citizens.
Wholly owned by the Government, DRHC will focus on developing and operating internationally competitive resorts and other tourism-related assets across the Maldives. The corporation is expected to maximise the economic potential of state-owned lagoons, uninhabited islands and other natural resources through carefully planned tourism investments, while creating long-term value for the State and future generations.
A key focus of the corporation will be the development of high-quality resorts that meet international hospitality standards while preserving the natural environment that has made the Maldives one of the world’s most sought-after island destinations. Resort developments under DRHC are also expected to incorporate environmental conservation, renewable energy and sustainable operational practices, supporting the Maldives’ ambition to remain a globally competitive and environmentally responsible tourism destination.
The new corporation is also intended to strengthen opportunities for Maldivians within the tourism industry. Its objectives include creating new employment opportunities, expanding technical and professional training for local workers, increasing foreign currency earnings and developing stronger partnerships with both Maldivian and international investors. These partnerships are expected to bring additional investment, expertise and innovation into the sector while strengthening the overall competitiveness of the Maldivian tourism industry.
President Dr Muizzu first announced the initiative during his 2026 Presidential Address, outlining the Government’s intention to ensure that the economic prosperity generated by tourism reaches individual citizens more directly. Under the initiative, the Government plans to develop at least 10 resorts within the next three years, adding a significant new portfolio of tourism assets to the country’s hospitality sector.
The proposed resorts are expected to create new destinations and investment opportunities across the Maldives, supporting regional development while expanding the country’s internationally recognised resort offering. With tourism remaining a major source of foreign currency, employment and economic activity, the initiative is positioned to generate both commercial returns and wider national benefits.
The President has also announced that a significant portion of the profits generated by resorts developed under the initiative will be deposited annually, in foreign currency, into the bank accounts of every Maldivian citizen. The mechanism is intended to allow citizens to benefit directly from the financial performance of state-backed tourism assets and ensure that the wealth generated from the country’s natural resources is shared more broadly across the population.
In addition, the Government plans to introduce legislation enabling every Maldivian citizen to become a shareholder in resorts developed under the initiative. The proposed framework would further connect citizens with the country’s tourism economy while creating a long-term national investment model built around shared ownership, sustainable resort development and the continued growth of the Maldives as a leading global tourism destination.
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