Green Tax Helps State Raise MVR 1.5 Billion This Year

The Ministry of Finance and Planning has released statistics showing that the state has collected MVR 1.5 billion in Green Tax revenue so far this year.

The revenue was collected as of Sept. 24, according to figures in the ministry’s Weekly Fiscal Developments report. This represents an increase of 0.7 percent over the same period last year.

Green Tax was implemented in the Maldives in October 2016 primarily to help safeguard the environment and to fund projects for sustainable development.

The tax is imposed on tourists staying at 180 resorts, 16 hotels, 927 guesthouses and 165 safari vessels operating across the country.

Tourists at resorts, hotels and safari vessels are charged USD 12 per person per day while those at guesthouses are charged USD 6 per person per day. Children under 2 years old are exempt from the tax.

The government has used revenue generated through Green Tax to support a range of environment-related projects throughout the islands.

The government also intends to expand such initiatives including the establishment of water and sewerage systems, coastal protection projects and other programs aimed at maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.