Want to buy an island? This is your chance

Have you always wanted to own an island? This is the ultimate opportunity: the government of the Maldives is holding an auction of private islands for the very first time in the world. A total of 16 of the 1190 islands will go under the hammer. However, you don't just get the island, a number of requirements must be met... Text: Fleur de Jong

A number of requirements

Anyone who makes a good offer has a chance to own an island with a 50-year lease. In a bid to revive the tourist-driven economy, the Ministry of Tourism plans to auction 16 of its islands. There is one condition: when buying an island, a resort or hotel must be built on it. 

As an international bidder you have to be quick, because a bid must be made before June 10. However, it does not end with making an offer, a proposal must also be submitted stating the potential ecological footprint of the resort and how gender equal the staff is. Once successful, construction of the resort must start within 36 months and each project must respect the area's pristine natural environment and follow a set of guidelines during construction. 

According to the director of the Ministry of Tourism's planning department, these guidelines include not building buildings above tree height and not cutting down trees during construction without express permission from the government. If a tree is cut down, two must be planted in its place.

More auctions

The largest island has an area of ​​17 hectares. For the smaller islands, depending on the rights, there is the possibility of acquiring land to make the island larger. 

Would you rather have an island for yourself that you don't have to share with tourists? Then there is a good chance of a second auction in the near future. The government of the Maldives is planning to organize more auctions for a number of their islands, perhaps for private use...Also read: 'Maldives on the Zeeland coast'.