New Zealand authorities plan to dramatically increase the tourist tax from October 1. The cost of the fee, which is paid by tourists arriving in the country, will increase almost threefold from October 1 to 100 New Zealand dollars (about 240 zlotys).
The government said the increase in the fee would “ensure that visitors contribute to public services and a high-quality experience when visiting New Zealand”. However, independent tourism association Tourism Industry Aotearoa said in a statement that the higher tourist tax would be a barrier to visitors, making it “extremely expensive” to visit.
Currently, the tourist tax is 25 New Zealand dollars, but from October 1, 2024, it is to increase to 100 dollars. At the current exchange rate, it is about 240 PLN.
New Zealand is famous for the culture of its original Maori inhabitants and its unique landscapes – glaciers, mountains, volcanoes and lakes. However, its location in the South Pacific and the associated long travel times, which are in themselves expensive, have often been a barrier for visitors.
Lake Taupo in New Zealand Shutterstock
Another barrier for tourists?
“New Zealand's tourism recovery has lagged behind the rest of the world and this move will further undermine our competitiveness in this area,” said Rebecca Ingram, the association's chief executive.
New Zealand first introduced the fee in 2019 as it grappled with the impact of large tourist influxes on its infrastructure, environment and local communities.
The country closed its borders for two and a half years during the coronavirus pandemic, and didn’t allow visitors until August 2022. The country is now struggling to get visitor numbers back to pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, New Zealand welcomed fewer than 3 million international visitors, down from about three-quarters of pre-pandemic levels.
Tourism Minister Matt Doocey argued the new tax rate would not be a huge deterrent because NZ$100 would represent less than 3% of the average spend of most tourists in the country. He said it remained competitive with countries such as Australia and Great Britainand “is confident that New Zealand will continue to be seen by many around the world as an attractive tourist destination.”
The tax is not payable by visitors from Australia and the Pacific. Most visitors to New Zealand come from Australia, the United States, Chin and Fiji.
New Zealand is not alone
The increased tourist tax costs will join separate visa fees for some visitors, which will also increase from October 1.
As the BBC notes, a separate tax for tourists also applies in Indonesia, Spain, France, Austria, Croatia, ItalyIceland or Costa Rica. In most places, the tax is included in the price of accommodation, visa or airfare.
In April, Venice began a trial periodwhereby day trippers were charged a €5 tax for visiting the city on peak days, in a bid to combat the effects of over-tourism.
Main image source: Shutterstock