State revenue generated from Green Tax has declined by 57% in April 2020.
Statistics from Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) revealed the state received USD 2.26 million in April 2020. This represents a 57% decline compared to the USD 5.36 million generated in April 2019.
Revenue from Green Tax has been decreasing due to the suspension of tourist arrivals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Green Tax has been in decline since February.
Green Tax was introduced in 2016 to contribute to environmental protection projects in the Maldives. Tourists at resorts, hotels and safaris are charged USD 6 as Green Tax, while tourists at guesthouses are charged USD 3.
Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed stated the government has formulated plans and policies on reopening the Maldivian borders for tourists once the COVID-19 outbreak is controlled. While the government expects tourism operations to resume between July and September, the tourism minister revealed the country might not be able to reopen borders this year under the worst-case scenario of COVID-19 transmission in the Maldives.