New Zealand Nearly Tripples Tourist Tax for Foreign Visitors
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The Facts
On Tuesday, the New Zealand government announced that it will raise the international visitor, conservation, and tourist (IVL) taxes to NZ$100 ($61.85) from NZ$35 on October 1 to "ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand."New Zealand announced on Tuesday a raise in its International Visitor Conservation and Tourist Levy (IVL) to NZ$100 ($62) from NZ$35 starting from October 1 to "ensure visitors contribute more to public services and high-quality experiences."
Like many major tourist destinations, New Zealand struggles with the impact of tourism on its natural resources and infrastructure. The $35 government fee introduced in 2019 proved inadequate. The government believes the new tax will be competitive and keep New Zealand as a popular tourist destination.The non-refundable tourist tax is charged when applying for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) or most visas, with notable exceptions being permanent residents, Australian citizens and people from many Pacific Island nations.
The Spin
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