The Maldives, known for its white sandy beaches and crystal water, is made up of over 1000 islands, and one island is now being offered up as an exclusive option for people to stay on.
The holiday destination, which sees around 1.8 million tourists, is only upgrading by now having an option where people can bid to stay on a 14,000 square metre private island called Kudahithi Sands.
The new idea was introduced by Mohamed Ali Janah, group chairman of Hotels and Resorts Investment Maldives group (HARIM Group) and a special advisor to UN Tourism.
At the UN’s World Tourism Day event in Tbilisi, Georgia, he said: “I am building the most exclusive private island in the world.”
Potential guests of the island would have to auction to stay on Kudahithi Sands, which is a 30-minute boat road from the capital, Malé’s international airport.
Mohammed Ali Janah, who has been serving in the Maldives construction industry for over 30 years, has built multiple resorts across the island state and his development plans for Kudahithi include six villas and a yacht.
There are still discussions regarding how the auction concept will work. However, the main idea is that a certain number of nights per year will be released, which people can then bid to purchase in blocks.
Mohammed Ali Janah added: “In the Maldives, there are islands that are selling for £91,000 a night for a private island, so I believe that we will be able to beat that kind of price.”
Future guests on the island can even bring their own butlers or staff to cook at the island restaurant. The idea is that those who can afford to experience a holiday on the island will also feel at home.
The island is set to open in 2025 and will not be linked to an international brand or other hotel properties in the Maldives. The island will be “sold as a single, isolated private island”.