The Maldives collected USD 110.2 million in green tax during the first nine months of this year, according to figures released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). This represents a 5.4 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Green tax was introduced in October 2016, primarily to generate revenue for environmental protection and conservation projects across the Maldives.
MIRA data show that green tax revenue reached USD 110.2 million in the first nine months of this year, up from approximately USD 103.8 million during the corresponding period last year.
The tax is levied on tourists staying at resorts, hotels and guesthouses, as well as those travelling on tourist vessels. The Maldives currently has 180 resorts, 16 hotels, 932 guesthouses and 166 safari vessels in operation.
Tourists staying at resorts, hotels and safari vessels are charged USD 12 per person per day, while those staying at guesthouses pay USD 6 per person per day. Children under the age of two are exempt from the tax.
The government uses green tax revenue to fund environmental projects across the islands. These include water and sewerage infrastructure, coastal protection, clean environment initiatives and the establishment of water supply systems.