New Zealand tourist tax near triples for foreign visitors

The south Pacific country's tourism industry warns the increased entry fee is a barrier to visitors.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessWomen at the HelmFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersNew Zealand hikes tourist tax prompting warningTai GinDa / Getty ImagesThe South Pacific nation is famed for its natural beauty - a major drawcard for visitorsNew Zealand will steeply increase an entry tax for foreign tourists in a move some fear could deter visitors.

The cost of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will near triple to NZ$100 (£47.20) from NZ$35 (£16.52) from 1 October.

The government said this is to help economic growth and “ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand".

But Tourism Industry Aotearoa - the country's independent tourism body - says the higher fee is a barrier to visitors, making it "incredibly expensive to visit".

The nation is famed for its Māori culture and dramatic scenery, including glaciers, mountains, volcanoes and lakes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgwpkvl97eo

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