Huge blow as beautiful country with 3m visitors unveils £17 tourist charge
A breathtakingly beautiful country renowned for its rugged mountains and lush landscapes has revealed plans to charge overseas tourists for entering some of its most famous natural attractions. Last year, around 3.31 million international tourists flocked to New Zealand, a significant increase of 357,000 compared to 2023.
Lured in by its glow worm-filled caves, natural springs, incredible hikes and unbeatable coffee culture, the country's tourist boom has shed light on the strain tourism can have on nature. As a result, conservation minister Tama Potaka and prime minister Christopher Luxon have announced new measures to help protect the areas, as well as create more jobs and boost wages.
The move will see tourists pay between NZ$20 (£8.87) and $40 (£17.75) to enter a handful of attractions that account for around 80 per cent of all visitors. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.
"Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change," Mr Potaka said. "But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free."
The politician estimated the move will generate a whopping £28 million in revenue per year, which will be 'directly re-invested into those same areas'. However, New Zealanders will be exempt from the tourist charge.
"It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it," the PM added, arguing the country's concessions regime is 'totally broken'. "If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs, and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way."
The first locations to introduce the charges will be Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), a stunning fjord located in the southwest of the south island. Sandwiched within Fiordland National Park, the reserve is highly popular with tourists wanting to explore the dolphin-filled waters and majestic waterfalls on a boat tour. It was also one of the many filming locations for the Lord of the Rings.
The iconic Te Whanganui-a-Hei (Cathedral Cove) will also be included in the shake-up. This stunning marine reserve is arguably the country's most famous patch of sand, often pictured by its natural archway that perfectly frames the beach. Other sites slated to introduce tourist charges include Tongariro Crossing in the eponymously-named national park and the famous Aoraki Mount Cook - New Zealand's highest mountain.
It is reported that the fees won't be introduced until 2027. Much closer to home, sunbed wars see Brits forced to queue for 'over an hour' just to get to the pool.
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