Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has revealed that revenue generated from Green Tax has decreased by 89% in May 2020, compared to the same month last year.
Statistics publicised by MIRA revealed the state generated USD 512,900 as Green Tax in May 2020. This is an 89% decrease compared to the USD 5 million generated in May 2019. The total revenue generated from Green Tax in the first five months of 2020 was recorded at USD 18.1 million, which is 43.8% lower than the USD 26 million recorded during the same period last year.
Revenue from Green Tax has declined due to the suspension of tourist arrivals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Borders have been closed in the Maldives since March 27.
The government has announced plans to reopen borders for tourists in July. As such, the government is in efforts to formulate and implement measures to ensure the safety of tourists as well as locals, upon resuming tourism operations. Ministry of Tourism and Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) have also been conducting marketing and promotional activities targeted at tourists from different international markets.