The Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA) has said that the new regulations have provided temporary solution to bring cruise lines and yachts to the Maldives.
The association expressed concern about the imposition of GST on individual rooms of cruise lines under the regulations government the movement and berthing of tourist vessels arriving from abroad. The regulation was put in place by the former government.
Due to this new regulation, cruise liners began to opt for other, cheaper destinations instead of the Maldives.
Following Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal’s commitment in finding a proper solution, the ministry issued regulations mandating approval from passenger liners for vessels staying less than seven days.
Key provisions of the regulation include a USD 1,000 fee for cruise permits from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) for vessels exceeding 20 meters, no fee for vessels under 20 meters, and a daily USD 850 fee for all vessels from passenger liners.
An official from MAYA had said the ministry has been supportive of addressing their issues.
While the new rules would facilitate the arrival of a Costa cruise ship on January 8, MAYA stressed the requirement of a more comprehensive regulation in enhancing revenue flow to the country.
“Under the new regulation, cruise lines only have to pay USD 850. However, for instance, if a vessel arrives with about 2,000 passengers and charges USD 10 or USD 5 per head, the state will generate a significant daily revenue,” the official from MAYA said.