Ministry of Finance revealed that Kaafu Atoll and Alifu Dhaalu Atoll collected the highest amount of Green Tax in August.
According to the Green Fund Report issued by the ministry, Kaafu Atoll collected MVR 26 million as Green Tax with Alifu Dhaalu atoll following behind, collecting MVR 11.6 million. Baa atoll collected the third largest amount, receiving MVR 6 million.
The report indicates that Kaafu Atoll resorts collected MVR 24 million, which is the highest amount of Green Tax received from among the atolls. Moreover, guesthouses within the atoll received MVR 765,931.38 as Green Tax whereas guesthouses within the city collected MVR 803,433.91.
Last August, the government received a total of MVR 72 million as Green Tax. While guesthouses collected MVR 2 million, hotels received MVR 1.4 million and the resorts collected MVR 67 million.
According to the Green Fund Report, MVR 580 million has been collected and deposited into the Green Fund thus far this year. While MVR 192 million has been utilized this year, MVR 388 million remains in the fund.
The government introduced the Green Tax during October 2016 to gather funds to tackle environmental issues in the Maldives. US$ 3 is charged as Green Tax per tourist at local guest houses and US$ 6 is charged per head at other tourism service providers.
The "Green Fund" was established earlier this February, and since then, revenue collected as Green Tax is deposited into the fund.
