Hajj Corporation advances Maafushi Hotel despite Minister's caution

The Maldives Hajj Corporation is moving forward with plans to build a city hotel in Maafushi, despite caution from Finance Minister Moosa Zameer regarding the corporation's investment in the guesthouse business.

The hotel project will be developed under Maafushi Islamic Tourism Pvt Ltd (MIT), a subsidiary of the Hajj Corporation.

The corporation has opened the contract for the hotel's construction to both Maldivian and foreign companies willing to finance the development themselves. Interested parties have until next Wednesday to register with the Hajj Corporation, requiring a non-refundable fee of MVR 30,000 or USD 2,000. The bidding process is scheduled for September 11.

Last year, the Hajj Corporation had initially announced its intention to build a hotel in Maafushi. Finance Minister Zameer's warning about the venture was delivered during a parliament session.

In response, Maldives Hajj Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel stated at the time that the corporation would heed the ministry's advice if direct counsel against entering the tourism business was provided.

Maafushi is widely recognized as a highly developed tourism island.