TIA: Border levy must benefit visitors, tourism industry

22 July, 2018

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) lodged (20-Jul-2018) its submission on New Zealand's proposed International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The submission states that while tourism operators have indicated broad support for the introduction of the IVL, this is conditional on several factors. These include:

  • Clarity on the decision-making process;
  • Allocating the funds to priorities that will enhance the visitor and community experience;
  • Ensuring funding is additional and not a replacement for existing Government expenditure.

TIA also stated the tourism industry is wary of further costs being imposed and says no further taxes, such as bed taxes or regional levies, should be contemplated. TIA suggested the funds raised through the IVL should be invested in five areas: the public conservation estate; communities with high visitor to resident ratios; local and mixed-use infrastructure; tourism research and development; and building tourism business capability. The body also advocated for tourism industry representatives to be involved in the decision-making process on funds allocation. TIA supports the IVL being set at NZD35 (USD23.87) per person, the upper limit suggested by the New Zealand Government, conditional on the rate remaining fixed at this level for the next five years. [more - original PR]