A bill has been passed by the Parliament, with 50 members voting in favour to increase the amount of green tax taken from tourists staying at large guesthouses.
This Tourism Act amendment bill had proposed to impose a green tax of USD 3 per day for tourists staying at guesthouses or hotel in an inhabited island with less than 50 beds and to impose a green tax of USD 6 per day for tourist staying at guesthouses or hotel with more than 50 beds. Currently, USD 3 is taken as green tax per day for tourists staying at any guesthouse.
The bill further proposed to stop imposing a registration fee for guesthouses, hotels, and dive centres. As of now, USD 650 registration fee is imposed on hotels while a USD 300 registration fee is imposed on guesthouses and diving centres. The amendment bill will also pave the way for local councils to lease land according to market value and give local councils the authority to transfer land rights in their jurisdiction.
