Maldives has recorded an increase in departure tax and airport development fee revenue last year, according to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) figures, posting a combined USD 142.7 million.
Departure tax levied since January 2022 on foreign passengers departing from an airport in Maldives, while the Airport Development Fee is charged from every passenger departing from the country’s main airport, Velana International Airport (VIA).
According to the 2024 annual report of MIRA, the state received USD 71.3 million, registering 12.1 percent more than revenue forecast for the year.
In 2023, revenue of USD 64.1 million in departure tax means last year’s earnings were 15 percent higher.
The boost in departure tax revenue was due to an 8.76 percent increase in the number of tourist arrivals and 10 percent increase in foreigners departing from airports last year compared to 2023.
Revenue forecast from airport development fee in 2024 was USD 71.3 million meaning the actual revenue was 14 percent higher.
In 2024, airport development fee revenue was 14.3 percent more than the revenue of USD 64.9 million generated the previous year.
Departure Tax is USD 12 for Maldivians travelling in Economy Class, USD 30 for foreigners travelling in Economy Class, USD 60 for all passengers travelling in Business Class, USD 90 for all passengers travelling in First Class, and USD 120 for all passengers travelling on private jets
The MIRA report said the increase in revenue from airport development fees was down to the increase in the number of tourist arrivals. In 2024, a historic 2,046,615 tourists visited the Maldives - an 8.9 percent increase compared to 2023.