By TravoUpdate
New Zealand will nearly triple its entry fee for foreign visitors from NZD 35 (USD 21.77) to NZD 100 (USD 62.20) starting October 1.
The government aims to ensure tourists contribute more to public services and the unique experiences New Zealand offers.
The fee hike comes as New Zealand struggles with the environmental impact and infrastructure strain caused by tourism.
Tourism’s Environmental Impact
The original NZD 35 fee was introduced in July 2019 but failed to cover the cost of managing visitor influx.
The Tourism Industry Association worries the fee increase will deter tourists, hindering the industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourism Industry Concerns
The pandemic severely impacted New Zealand's tourism industry, which was the country's biggest export earner before the crisis.
COVID-19 Impact
Visitor arrivals are currently at about 80% of pre-pandemic levels, and tourism export revenues have dropped by 5%.
Visitor Numbers Down
Industry experts believe the fee hike could harm New Zealand’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.
Global Competitiveness at Risk
Other increases, such as higher regional airport fees and tourist visa expenses, add to concerns for the tourism sector.
Tourism and airport officials stress that these rising costs may hinder efforts to recover New Zealand's economy post-pandemic.
Economic Recovery Challenges