The government has collected USD 97.3 million in green tax so far this year, according to official figures, marking a 0.7 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
According to the Weekly Fiscal Development Report published by the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, USD 97.3 million was collected in green tax as of September 24.
The Maldives began collecting green tax in October 2016, primarily to generate funds for environmental protection projects across the country.
The tax is levied on tourists staying at resorts, hotels and guesthouses, as well as those travelling on safari vessels. Currently, 180 resorts, 16 hotels, 927 guesthouses and 165 safari vessels are operating in the Maldives.
A green tax of USD 12 is charged per person per day for tourists staying at resorts, safari vessels and hotels, while tourists staying at guesthouses are charged 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 various environment-related projects across the islands, including water and sewerage projects, coastal protection, clean environment initiatives and the development of water supply systems.