President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified amendments to the Tourism Act, increasing the green tax rate levied on tourists visiting the Maldives.
The government-sponsored amendment, submitted by Macchangolhi South MP Musthafa Hussain, was approved by Parliament on October 31, with 71 members voting in favor and eight opposing.
Under the amendment, the Tourism Ministry, in consultation with the President, is required to prepare and publish a list of the number of islands, land, and lagoons to be allocated for tourism purposes in each financial year. The Ministry also holds the authority to adjust this list with the President’s approval.
The amendment also includes an increase in the Green Tax levied on tourists staying in tourist facilities in the Maldives for each day spent at the accommodations. As per the amendment, the Green Tax for tourists staying in hotels and guesthouses with 50 rooms or fewer in residential areas will increase from $3 to $6 per day. The green tax will double from $6 to $12 per day for all other tourism accommodations, including resorts. The updated tax rates will be levied from January next year.
Following the ratification of the amendment, the amendments to the regulations formulated under the Tourism Act must be formulated within the next 30 days from today and published in the Government Gazette.
