New Zealand Tourism has announced that the decision to levy $35 a head was taken to encourage overseas visitors to contribute to the natural environment. Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis made this announcement at the Tourism Export Council conference in Christchurch. The country has received the first grants from the international visitor levy for Kakapo recovery, tourism recruitment, and many other wildlife-related projects.
A sum of $18 million will be invested in ten tourism and conservation ventures which would reach $42 million over the next five years. In addition to this, an investment of $5.2 million over three years has been devoted to promote careers in tourism and expand an online program for tourism. New Zealand tourism is making efforts to improve the tourism sector in the country. Recently, New Zealand ETA was introduced which made it mandatory for citizens from 60 countries to obtain NZeTa visas to travel to the country.
The trial has been successfully executed in Auckland and it is going to be rolled out throughout the nation soon. According to Chris Roberts, Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive, the funding will help to eradicate the negative perceptions about the tourism sector. The Milford Opportunities Project and Westland tourism initiatives have got $3m and $3.9m respectively for destination management planning for tourism hot spots. Other than this, Northland’s Ruapekapeka Pa will receive $1.2m and $300,000 will be given to improve the visitor experience at Arthur’s Pass.
Over the next five years, the levy paid by international visitors (excluding Australians) will gather $450 million which will be utilized for improving various tourist spots in New Zealand. The representatives from tourism, conservation, central and local government, and Maori will form a part of a panel to advise on a long-term investment plan for the levy. According to Tourism Export Council chief executive, Judy Chen, the high-level of transparency will be ensured regarding the investment of $35 on various projects.
