The Maldives’ Green Tax collections have risen to MVR 976 million as of 5 December, according to the Ministry of Finance. This marks an increase of MVR 57 million, or a 6.2 percent addition to the MVR 919 million collected over the same period last year.

Green Tax was introduced in October 2016 with the stated goal of addressing the environmental impact of tourism activities and is levied on tourist resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and tourist liveaboards.

The Green Tax levy is set to double come January 2025.

Tourists staying at city hotels and guesthouses in residential areas with fewer than 50 rooms will be charged US$6 per day of stay, up from the current US$3.

Meanwhile, tourists at resorts, integrated tourist resorts, resort hotels, hotels, tourist guesthouses and tourist liveaboards will be charged US$12 per day of stay, instead of the current US$6.

Green Tax will not be levied on children under the age of two.