The Tourism Ministry and the Maldives Island Revenue Authority (MIRA) have asked resorts to pay over Rf1.3 billion (US$101 million) in unpaid resort rents and Rf5.8 million (US$458,000) in tourism taxes.
Most of the money – Rf1 billion – is owed by island unidentified by the Ministry, leased for resort development, reports Haveeru. The newspaper claimed the island was Hudhufushi in Lhaviyani atoll.
Speaking to Haveeru, Deputy Tourism Minister Ismail Yasir said the government has failed twice in court to terminate the agreement with the resort developer.
“Discussions are underway with the Attorney General’s Office for the further procedures in procuring the money,” Yasir told Haveeru.