The New Zealand government announced on Tuesday that it would nearly triple entry fees for tourists, prompting concerns from the tourism sector that the higher charges could deter visitors.
Starting October 1, the international visitor and conservation fees will rise from NZ$35 to NZ$100 (approximately $62.20). The government stated that the increase is aimed at ensuring that tourists contribute to public services and enjoy high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand.
New Zealand, like many other popular tourist destinations, has faced challenges in managing the impact of large numbers of visitors on its natural environment, with infrastructure often stretched to its limits. The previous fee, introduced in July 2019, was deemed insufficient to cover the costs associated with tourism.
Despite the increase, the government insists the new fee is competitive and believes New Zealand will continue to be an attractive destination for tourists.
However, the Tourism Industry Association expressed concerns that the higher fees could discourage visitors, especially as the sector is still recovering from strict border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The association’s chief executive, Rebecca Ingram, said, “New Zealand’s tourism recovery is falling behind the rest of the world, and this will further dent our global competitiveness.”
Recent data from Stats NZ shows that travel export receipts for the year ending June 30 were at NZ$14.96 billion, a 5% decline compared to pre-pandemic levels. Visitor numbers are currently around 80% of their pre-pandemic levels.
In addition to the higher entry fees, the New Zealand government has also increased the cost of visitor visas and proposed raising charges at regional airports. Billie Moore, chief executive of NZ Airports, described this as “a triple-whammy for our sector, which is trying to work hard for New Zealand’s economic recovery.”
