MALE, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives Finance Ministry on Monday said the state had collected over 40 million U.S. dollars as Green Tax from foreigners and tourists in the first nine months of this year, local media reports said.
According to statistics published by the Finance ministry, the Maldives government had received 42.466 million U.S. dollars by the end of September, out of which 1.758 million were spent to develop sewerage facilities, providing clean drinking water and establishing waste management mechanisms for local communities.
The Green Tax is payable by tourists who stay in tourist resorts, hotels, tourist vessels and guest houses.
The government charges a Green Tax of six dollars per person per day from resorts, vessels, and hotels and three dollars per person per day from guest houses.
Green Tax is a tax that encourages people not to harm the environment or to help pay for things that are good for the environment.
Maldivians and resident permit holders are not required to pay the Green Tax.
