According to Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts, the government is right to rule out another ‘tourist tax’ charged at the border, recognising the billions of dollars’ international visitors already inject into the New Zealand economy.
“Supporters of additional tourist taxes are ignoring the fact that the economic benefits overseas visitors deliver to New Zealand far outweigh the costs we incur in hosting them,” said Roberts. “It is very easy to focus on the pressures that come with growth, but tourism is now New Zealand’s biggest export earner by some considerable distance, and international visitors are more than paying their way.”
Roberts went on to say the government accepts that one of the many benefits of the tourism boom is the significantly increased tax take it is enjoying as a result. While taxing visitors isn’t the answer, Mr Roberts said the government does need to assist in providing better infrastructure around the country, and TIA is hopeful of a significant announcement in the May Budget.
