New Zealand to nearly triple tax on international tourists

Peak tourism body says hike will make South Pacific country ‘incredibly expensive’ to visit.

New Zealand has announced plans to nearly triple a tax on international tourists, prompting backlash from the country’s tourism industry.

New Zealand’s National Party-led coalition government said on Tuesday that it would raise the so-called International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) from 35 New Zealand dollars ($22) to 100 New Zealand dollars ($62) from October 1.

Tourism Minister Matt Doocey said the hike would allow the country to grow its tourism industry while ensuring visitors contribute to “high-value conservation areas and projects, such as supporting biodiversity in national parks and other highly visited areas and improving visitor experiences on public conservation land.”

“A $100 IVL would generally make up less than 3 per cent of the total spending for an international visitor while in New Zealand, meaning it is unlikely to have a significant impact on visitor numbers,” Doocey said.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the peak body for New Zealand’s tourism sector, said the increase would make the country “incredibly expensive” to visit.