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Why New Zealand is introducing a new foreign tourist charge

Why New Zealand is introducing a new foreign tourist charge

Independent19 hours ago
New Zealand is set to introduce charges for foreign tourists visiting four of its most renowned natural attractions.
Overseas visitors will be expected to pay between NZ$20 (£8.87) and $40 (£17.75) to visit sites such as Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki Mount Cook.
The plan, announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, aims to create jobs and increase wages.
The revenue generated, estimated at up to $62m (£28m) annually, will be directly reinvested into the conservation estate.
New Zealand citizens will remain exempt from these fees, which are anticipated to be implemented from 2027.
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