The government has lowered the lease acquisition cost required for new resort projects in atolls that currently host only a small number of tourist establishments.
The change is intended to encourage investment in less-developed regions and to spread tourism benefits more widely across the country. Officials have said the reduced rate will apply to qualifying islands where existing resort density is low.
Industry representatives have welcomed the move as a practical step that could improve the commercial viability of projects in the outer atolls. Critics have asked for clearer criteria on which atolls qualify and how the lower rates will be applied consistently.
Resort lease acquisition costs have long been a significant upfront expense for developers. Adjusting them in under-served areas is one of several measures the government has used to try to expand tourism beyond the central and northern atolls.
