New Zealand Nearly Triples Levy on International Tourists, Reports Reuters

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The New Zealand government announced on Tuesday that it will nearly triple entry fees for tourists, a move that has drawn criticism from the tourism sector, which fears the higher charges will deter visitors.

Beginning on October 1, the international visitor and conservation fees will rise from NZ$35 ($22.45) to NZ$100 ($62.20). The government stated that this increase aims to ensure that visitors contribute to public services and enjoy high-quality experiences while in New Zealand.

Like many renowned tourist destinations worldwide, New Zealand has faced challenges due to the environmental impact of tourism, as well as infrastructure being strained by large visitor numbers. The original NZ$35 fee was implemented in July 2019 but proved inadequate to cover the costs linked to the influx of tourists.

Authorities defended the hike as a competitive rate, expressing confidence that New Zealand will remain an appealing destination for travelers.

However, the Tourism Industry Association has voiced concerns that such an increase will discourage visitors, particularly as the sector—once the country’s largest export earner—continues to struggle in recovering from strict border closures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“New Zealand’s tourism recovery is lagging behind the global average, and this will further diminish our competitiveness on the world stage,” stated Rebecca Ingram, the association’s chief executive.

Recent data from Stats NZ indicated that travel export receipts for the year ending June 30 stood at NZ$14.96 billion, which reflects a 5% decline compared to pre-pandemic levels. Visitor numbers are currently at approximately 80% of what they were before the border closures.

Additionally, the New Zealand government has recently raised the costs of visitor visas and is considering increased charges at regional airports.

Billie Moore, chief executive of NZ Airports, described the fee increases as “a triple whammy for our sector, which is striving for New Zealand’s economic recovery.”