The New Zealand Government has announced new priorities for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, which will invest in local tourism projects that have the potential to be nationally significant, or that will address challenges faced by the industry.
The areas of priority for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy are focused on supporting a transition to a regenerative, resilient tourism model, as well as reducing the environmental impact that the local tourism sector has. The plan will also improve the way in which tourism serves communities and local economies, as well as to uphold Māori rights and interests in the tourism sector. The plan will also support the participation of Māori in proposed projects if desired.
Protecting and restoring indigenous biodiversity and responding to visitor pressures have also been identified as priorities within the conservation portion of the fund. Understanding visitor impact and the management needed has also been listed as a priority announced by the Government, as well as enhancing cultural heritage and protecting the natural environment from visitor impacts.
Some of the tourism projects that can expect to see a boost in funding due to the levy include the delivery of a comprehensive master plan for the Milford Sound region, which has been allocated $3 million. More than $7 million has been allocated to a programme that aims to support efforts to grow the tourism workforce in the long term and retain valuable tourism skills within New Zealand. Over $4 million will be designated to implementing reforms regarding the regulation of freedom camping, and $5 million will be given to a designated destination management team, that would be responsible for advancing Destination Management and the Destination Management Plans.
The priorities of the International Visitor Levy will be funded by international visitors to New Zealand who apply for a Visa/NZeTA and will be charged a non-refundable levy of NZ$35. This will include those who are visiting for a holiday, some student visas, and some short-work visas. The levy has been collected through the immigration system. There are, however, a collection of exempt parties, most notably Australian citizens and permanent residents, and those from several Pacific nations.
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy was first introduced in 2019, and has since assisted with funding for various national projects that are either in progress or have been completed.
