A week-long investigation by The Standard Maldives has uncovered that Kihaa Maldives, a luxury resort situated within the ecologically sensitive Hanifaru Bay, is operating without a valid tourism license—a direct violation of Maldivian law.
Despite boasting 124 high-end villas across 12 categories, and actively marketing itself to international tourists, Kihaa Maldives is not listed in the Ministry of Tourism and Environment’s official registry of licensed and approved tourist facilities. This was verified against the most recent list published by the Ministry.
The resort—previously known as Kihaad Maldives and rebranded under its current name on April 16, 2017—continues to function as a full-scale resort operation, welcoming guests, collecting payments, and offering all the services of a licensed property.
Registered Business, But Not a Registered Resort
Public records from the Ministry of Economic Development’s Business Portal confirm that the resort is registered as a business entity. The listed shareholders are:
- Ibrahim Abdul Latheef (Athamaage, K. Malé)
- Ali Ahrush Ibrahim (M. Meadows, K. Malé)
However, the registration as a generic business does not substitute the requirement for a Tourism Operating License, which is issued exclusively by the Ministry of Tourism and includes obligations such as paying Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST), Green Tax, and adhering to zoning, safety, and environmental laws.
Legal Breach, Regulatory Silence
Numerous complaints have been submitted to authorities highlighting the resort’s unlicensed status. However, no regulatory action has been taken or made public to date, prompting serious questions about oversight failures or potential regulatory capture.
This situation is particularly alarming given the resort’s location in Hanifaru Bay, a protected marine biosphere renowned for manta ray aggregation and whale shark sightings. Operating without proper authorization in such a critical ecological zone raises environmental and legal red flags.
Shadow Economy in Broad Daylight?
By bypassing tourism licensing, Kihaa Maldives may be evading millions in taxes annually—funds that should be supporting public services, environmental protection, and local communities. The case also underscores a dangerous regulatory gap where business registration is not cross-verified with sector-specific operating permits.
This investigation exposes what appears to be a shadow resort economy—one where powerful individuals may be allowed to run tourism businesses off the books, under the nose of enforcement authorities.
Demand for Transparency and Accountability
As the Maldives continues to brand itself globally as a premium and sustainable destination, the revelation that an unlicensed luxury resort is operating in a protected area is both damaging and unacceptable.
The Standard calls on the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), and the Anti-Corruption Commission to immediately:
- Launch a public investigation into Kihaa Maldives
- Disclose how the resort has operated for years without oversight
- Hold those accountable for breaching national laws
The Maldives’ credibility—and the integrity of its tourism industry—is at stake.
This is an ongoing investigation by The Standard Maldives. Further revelations will be published in the coming days.
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