New Zealand will be introducing tourist tax on British holidaymakers

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

New Zealand will shortly introduce a tourist tax of NZ$35 (£18) for visitors entering the country.

 
Anticipated to come into action in late 2019, the main purpose of the tax is to ensure tourists “contribute to the infrastructure they use and help protect the natural environment they enjoy,” as per the New Zealand government website. With tourism increasing by 8 percent in last year, according to New Zealand’s annual report, the influx in visitors combined with the tax is all set to be highly profitable.

 
To quote Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, “Plenty of countries have departure taxes – Australia brought one in in the 1980s. And many impose visa fees. But I’ve not heard of a blatant admission fee for a major tourism destination such as New Zealand.

 
“Relative to the airfare, and the amount that travellers typically spend in New Zealand, an extra £20 isn’t particularly significant. But the danger is that, as with Air Passenger Duty in the UK, the New Zealand Treasury will see the tax as easy money, and will soon increase it.”

 
To quote the founder of New Zealand focused travel firm In Depth and specialist travel advisor, Paul Carberry, is supportive of the proposed tax, “There has been a surge in tourism in New Zealand in the last four years and this understandably puts a strain on infrastructure.”

 
“Reports show that money raised from this project will be directed towards this and the ongoing conservation of native New Zealand animal and plant species.”

 
“These are all things that will ultimately benefit visitors and it’s great to see the New Zealand Government giving some targeted funding to the Department of Conservation and local operators.”

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