The Maldives, with its white sand beaches and sparkling coral reefs, is one of the world's most expensive holiday destinations.
The Indian Ocean island nation has just increased the cost of leaving: from December 1, exit fees for tourists flying out of the country will increase by up to four times.
Departure taxes are applied at different rates to each passenger, based on the class of air service they book to fly out of the Maldives.
Economy class passengers will pay $50 (up from $30), business class $120 (up from $60), first class $240 (up from $90) and private jet passengers $480 per person (up from $120).
The departure tax applies to all non-Maldivian visitors – regardless of age or passport, and regardless of the length of the flight or the duration of the flight. For example, visitors will pay the same tax for a four-hour flight to Delhi as they would for an 11-hour flight to London.
The Maldives Internal Revenue Authority (MIRA) announced the tax increase in November. According to MIRA, the tax revenue will be used for the maintenance and upkeep of Velana International Airport – the country's main transit hub.
Some travelers may not notice the new fee. These fees are often added to the price of airfare, so travelers don’t have to pay cash when they go through passport control.
Tourism is the Maldives' most profitable industry, but the country has struggled to balance the money coming in from international luxury tourists with the needs of its people, according to CNN.
According to Travel Tomorrow, Maldives has applied a departure tax from January 2022, applicable to all air passengers, except those with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers and children under 2 years old.
Airlines are responsible for charging fees for scheduled flights, while airport operators charge fees for charter flights and private jets.
TB (summary)Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/du-khach-se-phai-tra-phi-gap-4-lan-de-roi-maldives-399247.html
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