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New Zealand triples the fee for tourists. Why is this necessary?
04.09.2024
The cost of a visa for entering the country will also increase.
From October 2024, the New Zealand government will triple the tourist fee. The cost of visas for entering the country will also increase, the South China Morning Post reports.
New Zealand Tourism Minister Matt Doocey announced that the fee for foreign visitors will rise to 100 New Zealand dollars (about 62 US dollars) — today the tourist fee is only 35 New Zealand dollars. The increase will take effect on October 1. The cost of visas will also be increased to 341 New Zealand dollars (approximately 210 US dollars).
The government plans to use the additional revenue from the tourist fee to develop infrastructure in remote areas and to protect the environment.
It is reported that today the tourism industry in New Zealand is estimated at more than 13 billion New Zealand dollars (8 billion US dollars) per year. About 3.2 million foreigners visited the country last year.
Matt Doocey emphasized that the new fee still remains competitive compared to other countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. He also noted that 100 New Zealand dollars make up about 3% of a tourist's total expenses, which is unlikely to significantly affect the number of visits to the country.
In turn, experts express concerns that the changes may make trips to New Zealand less attractive for tourists. Regional Vice President of the International Air Transport Association Xie Xingquan believes that the increase in fees may further hinder the recovery of tourist flow, especially after 2026. Rebecca Ingram, CEO of the Aotearoa tourism industry, agrees with him. She also believes that the new fees may further undermine the recovery of tourism in the country after the pandemic.
The tourism industry in New Zealand, which was the country's largest export market before the pandemic, is struggling to recover due to reduced air traffic and delays in the resumption of flights from China. Xie Xingquan suggested that the authorities look for ways to increase the country's competitiveness as a tourist destination.
Tourism is a vital part of New Zealand's economy. According to the statistical site Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the tourism sector accounts for 20% of the total export of goods and services.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the tourism sector accounted for about 9.3% of the country's GDP and provided more than 13% of all jobs.
It became known back in 2021 that the New Zealand government plans to limit tourist flows. At that time, New Zealand's Minister of Tourism Stuart Nash proposed a plan to reboot the tourism industry in the post-COVID era. It was noted then that the changes could affect Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which would receive fewer visitors.
Source: www.mail.ru
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