If you’re planning a vacation to New Zealand, you might need to fork out a few more dollars during your trip.
The New Zealand government is set to charge foreign tourists up to NZ$40 (S$30) to visit its popular destinations, in what is understood to be a way to spur economic growth.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a speech last Saturday (Aug 2) that foreigners should pay a fee at high-traffic sites such as Milford Track and Mount Cook, reported Bloomberg.
These national parks and great walks are “truly special to New Zealanders”, he added.
Prime Minister Luxon was also quoted as saying that the NZ$62 million in annual revenue generated will be reinvested in those same locations to improve infrastructure and environmental management.
He said: “I have heard many times from my friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free.”
“It’s only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution of between NZ$20 and NZ$40 per person.”
The country’s government will consider introducing the fee initially for foreign travellers visiting Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track and Mount Cook, which are sites where foreigners often make up 80 per cent of visitors, according to the Bloomberg article.
Last September, New Zealand had raised the international visitor and conservation and tourism fees to NZ$100, almost tripling the previous NZ$35 fee.
While the government insisted New Zealand would still be seen as an attractive travel destination, the country’s Tourism Industry Association felt higher fees would discourage visitors, especially as the tourism sector struggles to recover from strict border closures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Zealand isn’t the only country in which foreign travellers should note when it comes to additional fees recently.
The Japanese government is considering raising the International Tourist Tax, which currently stands at 1,000 yen (S$8.95), according to an article on The Straits Times.
Introduced in January 2019, revenue generated from the tax is initially used to promote tourism in Japan.
With overtourism becoming an issue in Japan, the nation is mulling the use of tax revenue to expand transportation facilities and improve airports.
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amierul@asiaone.com
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