Green Tax Revenue Reaches MVR 1.7 Billion in First Nine Months

The Maldives received MVR 1.7 billion in Green Tax during the first nine months of this year, according to statistics released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). This is an increase from the same period last year. MIRA data show MVR 1.6 billion was collected in the same period last year, an increase of 5.4 percent. The Green Tax has been collected since October 2016. One of its main purposes is to raise funds for various projects to protect the Maldives' environment. The tax is collected from tourists arriving at tourist resorts, hotels, guesthouses and tourist vessels. Currently, 180 resorts, 16 hotels, 932 guesthouses and 166 safari vessels are operating in the Maldives. Under the Green Tax, US$12 is collected from each person spending a holiday at resorts, safari vessels and hotels, while US$6 is collected from those staying at guesthouses. Children under two years of age are exempt. The government spends revenue from the Green Tax on various environment-related projects on islands. These include water and sewerage, coastal protection, the Clean Environment Project and establishing water systems.