Parliament has accepted two separate bills submitted by the government to increase the Green Tax and raise the Airport Departure Tax and Airport Development Fee. Both bills have now been sent to the Whole House Committee for further review.

The bills were introduced in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, following preliminary debates. The first bill, to amend the Tourism Act, was submitted by Machangolhi Dhekunu MP Mustafa Hussain, while the second, to amend the Airport Taxes and Fees Act, was sponsored by Gemanafushi MP Asadullah Shihab. Both passed with a majority vote of 58 in favour and 10 against.

The proposed amendment to the Tourism Act will see the Green Tax for guesthouses rise from 3% to 6%, and for resorts and city hotels, it will double from 6% to 12%. These changes are expected to take effect on 1 January 2025.

The bills are now under review by the Whole House Committee, where they will be scrutinised in detail before the final vote.