Tourism Boom Lifts Maldives’ Environmental Levy to USD 116 Million as Green Tax Revenue Nearly Doubles
The Maldives has recorded a significant fiscal milestone this year, underscoring the resilience of its tourism industry. Data released by the Ministry of Finance and Planning show that the state has collected USD 116.72 million in Green Tax revenue to date.
The figure represents a marked increase, nearly twice the revenue generated during the same period last year. According to the Finance Ministry’s Weekly Fiscal Development report, the USD 116.72 million collected in the first 22 weeks of 2025 reflects an 88.3 percent rise compared with the USD 51.77 million recorded during the equivalent timeframe in 2024.
The Green Tax, introduced in October 2016, was designed to provide dedicated funding for environmental protection initiatives across the country. It applies to foreign visitors staying at tourist accommodations, including resorts, hotels, and guesthouses, as well as those travelling on tourist vessels.
The fee structure is tiered: USD 12 per person per night at resorts, safaris, and hotels; USD 6 per person per night at guesthouses; and children under the age of two are exempt. Entities registered under the tax are required to submit monthly statements and remit payments by the 28th day of the following month.
The increase in Green Tax revenue is closely tied to the performance of the tourism sector, with collections rising in line with visitor arrivals and the length of stays. Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment confirm the trend. So far this year, 1,943,305 tourists have visited the Maldives, a 9.9 percent increase compared with the 1,768,714 arrivals during the same period last year.
Building on last year’s strong performance, when the Maldives welcomed 2 million tourists, the government has set an ambitious target for 2025. Officials aim to attract 2.3 million visitors before year’s end and are pursuing extensive initiatives to further expand the tourism industry in support of this goal.