International tourism plays a hugely important role in the New Zealand economy, with international visitors spending over $11 billion in the year ending March 2024. However, 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.
The NZ$35 fee was first introduced in 2019, but the government found that this was not enough to cover the cost of environmental damage wrought by tourism. The increase to NZ$100 will significantly shift how much tourists are contributing to the country's public services.
The government has announced an increase in entry fees for foreign visitors from NZ$35 to NZ$100, which tourism operators fear will deter potential travelers, especially after pandemic challenges.
The tourism industry is concerned about this fee hike as New Zealand's tourism recovery is falling behind the rest of the world, posing risks to local businesses post-COVID.
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