Income generated by the state through green tax has increased significantly in January 2020, compared to the same month last year.
According to the Green Fund report released by the Ministry of Finance, the state received USD 5.48 million as green tax in January 2020, which is an increase of over USD 440,000 compared to the USD 5.04 million generated through Green Tax in January 2019.
According to statistics published by the finance ministry, the largest contribution to green tax in January was made from Kaafu Atoll, with USD 1.92 million. Meanwhile, approximately USD 574,000 was generated from Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, while USD 387,000 was generated from Raa and Alifu Alifu Atoll.
Green tax is received from tourists staying in resorts, hotels, guest houses and liveaboards across Maldives. USD 4.98 million from the total of USD 5.48 million was generated through resorts, while USD 219,295 was generated from guest houses, USD 148,346 from liveaboards and USD 116,100 from city hotels.
According to the Tourism Act, tourists residing in resorts, guesthouses, hotels and liveaboards have to pay USD 6 per head per day as green tax. Maldives started collecting green tax in the year 2016.
Minister of Finance, Ibrahim Ameer revealed there is a total of USD 55.86 million in the Green Fund following the amount collected in January.