The Maldivian government has introduced a bill seeking to amend the Tourism Act by eliminating the requirement for the President’s Office to approve the leasing of islands, land, and lagoons for tourism development.

The bill, presented by PNC MP Musthafa Hussein on behalf of the government, was read for the first time in Parliament on Monday, with a debate scheduled for Tuesday.

Currently, the Tourism Act requires approval from the President’s Office for allocating islands, land, and lagoons for tourism. This requirement was introduced through an amendment on July 10, 2016, under Article 5(r)(3).

The proposed amendment aims to remove this approval process, allowing allocations to proceed without the President’s Office’s involvement if the bill is passed.

Under the current law, the tourism ministry must publish a list of islands, land, and lagoons designated for tourism in coordination with the President’s Office, with any changes requiring presidential approval. The new amendment would instead mandate direct consultation with the president.

Furthermore, the bill proposes an increase in the green tax for tourists starting next year. The tax for guesthouses with fewer than 50 rooms would rise from $3 to $6 per day, while the tax for resorts, city hotels, and larger establishments would increase from $6 to $12 per day.