Green Tax bill passed by parliament

The bill proposed by the government to introduce Green Tax on tourists visiting resorts, hotels, and tourist boats in Maldives has been passed by the parliament.

The amendment bill to the Tourism Act, submitted to the parliament by Nilandhoo MP Abdulla Khaleel, was passed with 52 votes in favour and 16 votes against. None of the revisions proposed to the bill by opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) were passed.

Once the new law is enforced on 1 November 2015, Green Tax of $6 per day would be levied on every tourist visiting resorts, hotels, and tourist boats in Maldives. It is the responsibility of the hotel operators to ensure that this tax is paid to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

The bill states that the procedures regarding the imposition and collection of this tax must be established by MIRA.