The New Zealand government announced plans to nearly triple the entry fees for international tourists.
The government said in a statement that starting from October 1, the International Visitor, Conservation, and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be increased to NZ$100.
The increase is intended to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, the government said.
IVL, launched in July 2019, is an entry fee charged to international tourists and certain other non-resident visitors to New Zealand to generate revenue to sustain and enhance the country’s acclaimed natural environments and tourism infrastructure.
Along with the IVL hike, October 2024 will also witness a substantial increase in the country’s visa fees across the board.
The cost of a standard visitor visa will rise to NZ$341 from the existing NZ$ 211.
The visa fee hike is part of a broader strategy to better regulate the influx of tourists and other visitors, ensuring that those who visit are contributing fairly to the maintenance and development of the facilities and services they use.
Tourism Minister Matt Doocey supported the fee increase, explaining that the funds help international visitors contribute to conservation efforts, including biodiversity protection in national parks.
New Zealand’s tourism fee concerns
However, the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand expressed concerns that the higher fees could discourage visitors.
The association’s chief executive, Rebecca Ingram, warned that this move could further impact New Zealand’s tourism recovery and global competitiveness.
New Zealand welcomed over 3.2 million tourists in total in 2023, with Australians making up 1.3 million of the visitors.
The fee hike comes as the country’s tourism sector continues to grapple with recovery from strict border closures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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