The State received MVR 1.05 billion in Green Tax revenue during the first five months of this year, according to statistics released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

MIRA's figures show that Green Tax collections from January to May totalled MVR 1.05 billion. During the same period last year, the State received MVR 959 million in Green Tax revenue, reflecting an increase of 10 per cent.

Monthly figures indicate that the highest amount of Green Tax revenue was collected in March, amounting to MVR 312.4 million. Revenue declined in May, which authorities attributed to a reduction in tourist arrivals linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The Green Tax revenue collected during the first five months of the year was as follows:

The Maldives introduced Green Tax in 2016 to generate funding for environmental protection and sustainability initiatives across the country. The tax is levied on tourists staying at resorts, hotels, guesthouses and tourist vessels operating in the Maldives.

Under the current rates, tourists staying at resorts, hotels and safari vessels are charged USD 12 per person per day, while those staying at guesthouses are required to pay USD 6 per person per day.