New Zealand wants to curb overtourism and triples the entry fee for tourists. Credit: Canva
In a measure designed to manage tourist influx and generate additional revenue, the New Zealand The government has announced that it will triple entry fees for international tourists from 1 October 2024. Previously, travellers were required to pay NZD 35 (USD 21.77) in international visitor fees and conservation and tourism fees. This amount has been increased to NZD 100 (USD 62.20).
The fee increase will apply to all visitors entering the country, regardless of nationality or purpose of visit. This significant increase is expected to have a direct impact on the tourism industry, which has seen a boom in recent years. Since its introduction in 2019, the previous entry fee of USD 35 has proven insufficient to cover the costs associated with managing the influx of tourists. The government hopes the new fees will help balance the need for sustainable tourism with maintaining New Zealand’s appeal as a top-tier tourist destination.
However, the industry is not in favour of the fee increase. Reports cite the Tourism Industry Association, which has expressed concern that higher fees could deter visitors, particularly as the sector is still recovering from the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to recent data from Stats NZ, travel export revenue for the year ending 30 June was NZD 14.96 billion, a 5 per cent decline from pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, current visitor numbers are around 80 per cent of what they were before border closures.
However, there are those who believe the increase is necessary to protect the country’s natural beauty and ensure tourism remains a sustainable industry. They point to the success of similar measures implemented in other popular tourist destinations in light of overtourism In other countries.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.