Aussie favourite country set to hike entry prices for tourists

One of Australia’s favourite destinations is set to increase the tourist tax by about three times the amount it was this time last year.

One of Australia’s favourite destinations is set to increase the tourist tax by about three times the amount it was this time last year.

New Zealand, which welcomed close to 1.3 million Aussie visitors from mid 2023 to mid 2024, will be hiking the international visitor and tourism fees from NZ$35 (AU$32) to NZ$100 (AU$92).

The increase, which is around three times the original amount, won’t apply to Aussie travellers or those coming from Pacific nations — however the rest of the world will need to foot the bill.

Earlier this week, the government said the increase would “ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand” and was in line with other countries around the world who had grappled with the impacts of visitors and the natural environment.

Couple walking to Cathedral Cove. Located in New Zealand, North Island. Photo- istock Escape 25 Aug 2024

Dubbed the The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka said with international visitors spending over $11 billion — it’s time for the increase since the levy was introduced in 2019.

“International tourism plays a hugely important role in the New Zealand economy,” Mr Doocey said.

“International tourism also comes with costs to local communities, including additional pressure on regional infrastructure and higher upkeep and maintenance costs across our conservation estate.

New Zealand has made a string of visitation changes from October 1. Picture: iStock

“This money funds Tourism New Zealand, protects biodiversity within the Department of Conservation estate and provides quality experiences at the likes of Milford Sound, Aoraki/Mt. Cook and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.”

While Mr Doocey believes the increase will not impact visitation, the country’s Tourism Industry Association agrees that the $100 levy may discourage travellers and is poor timing given New Zealand is still recovering from the Covid-19 impact.

New Zealand is hiking both visa costs and the international visitor and tourism fees.

“New Zealand’s tourism recovery is falling behind the rest of the world, and this will further dent our global competitiveness,” said Rebecca Ingram, the association’s chief executive, as reported by The Guardian.

New Zealand welcomed more than 3.2 million tourists last year, with Australians being the most popular visitor. Tourists flying in from the US, China, UK, India, South Korea and Germany rounded out the other most popular inbound travellers, contributing one million tourists last year, however TIA believes the levy hike will lose tourists to Canada and the UK, given they have more flights and entry is less restricting.

It’s not the only price hike for tourists heading to New Zealand from October, with prices for tourist visas also taking a leap and going from NZ$211 to NZ$341.