The New Zealand government has announced that it will sharply increase an entry tax for foreign tourists in a move some fear could dissuade visitors.
According to reports, the cost of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will nearly triple to NZ$100 (£47.20) from NZ$35 (£16.52) from 1 October.
The government had said that this increase was to aid economic growth and “ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand”.
However, the Tourism Industry Aotearoa – the country’s independent tourism body – had said that the higher fee was a barrier to visitors, making it incredibly expensive trip.
The country is well-known for its celebration of Māori culture and dramatic scenery, including glaciers, mountains, volcanoes and lakes, but its location in the South Pacific and associated long-distance air fares have often created a barrier for visitors.
This tax is optional and not a given for visitors from Australia and the Pacific even though most of the visitors to New Zealand are from Australia, the United States, China and Fiji.
The increased costs will come with addition of separate visa fees for some visitors which are also rising from 1 October.
New Zealand is not the only country where tourist taxes exist. The other countries that charge tourists include Indonesia, Spain, France, Austria, Croatia, Costa Rica, Iceland and Italy.
In most countries, the tax is included as part of accommodation, visa or plane ticket costs.
