New Zealand will significantly increase the fees for international tourists starting October 1. The current fee of NZ$35 (about USD 22) will be raised to NZ$100 (around USD 62).

The government announced this move on Tuesday (Sep 3), stating that the increased fees will help fund conservation efforts and enhance visitor experiences. The&nbsp;statement said that the money would&nbsp;support public services used by tourists and maintain tourism sites.

Matt Doocey, New Zealand’s Minister for Hospitality and Tourism, made this announcement: “International tourism also comes with costs to local communities, including additional pressure on regional infrastructure and higher upkeep and maintenance costs across our conservation estate”.

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New Zealand, like other popular tourist destinations, has faced challenges with the environmental impact caused by large numbers of visitors, stretching its infrastructure. The $35 fee, introduced in July 2019, has proven insufficient to cover the costs associated with tourism.

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Despite concerns from the Tourism Industry Association that the fee hike might deter visitors, especially as the sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the government remains confident that New Zealand will continue to be seen as an attractive destination.

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However, the country's Tourism Industry Association believes the higher fees will discourage visitors, especially as the sector, once New Zealand's biggest export earner, is still struggling to recover from strict border closures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<h2>Current Tourism Data</h2>

Data released earlier on Tuesday by Stats NZ indicated that travel export receipts for the year ending June 30 totalled NZ$14.96 billion, a 5% decrease from pre-pandemic figures. The bureau also reported that visitor numbers are approximately 80% of what they were before the border closures.

(With inputs from agencies)

New Zealand will significantly increase the fees for international tourists starting October 1. The current fee of NZ$35 (about USD 22) will be raised to NZ$100 (around USD 62).

New Zealand will significantly increase the fees for international tourists starting October 1. The current fee of NZ$35 (about USD 22) will be raised to NZ$100 (around USD 62). The government announced this move on Tuesday (Sep 3), stating that the increased fees will help fund conservation efforts and enhance visitor experiences. The statement said that the money would support public services used by tourists and maintain tourism sites. Matt Doocey, New Zealand’s Minister for Hospitality and Tourism, made this announcement: “International tourism also comes with costs to local communities, including additional pressure on regional infrastructure and higher upkeep and maintenance costs across our conservation estate”. Also read | Faced with political unrest and US sanctions, Venezuela’s Maduro plays Christmas card New Zealand, like other popular tourist destinations, has faced challenges with the environmental impact caused by large numbers of visitors, stretching its infrastructure. The $35 fee, introduced in July 2019, has proven insufficient to cover the costs associated with tourism. Also read |Too stressed about quitting? In Japan, companies will resign from your job for you Despite concerns from the Tourism Industry Association that the fee hike might deter visitors, especially as the sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the government remains confident that New Zealand will continue to be seen as an attractive destination. Also read | World Bank boosts India's FY25 growth forecast to 7%, citing robust economic performance However, the country's Tourism Industry Association believes the higher fees will discourage visitors, especially as the sector, once New Zealand's biggest export earner, is still struggling to recover from strict border closures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current Tourism Data Data released earlier on Tuesday by Stats NZ indicated that travel export receipts for the year ending June 30 totalled NZ$14.96 billion, a 5% decrease from pre-pandemic figures. The bureau also reported that visitor numbers are approximately 80% of what they were before the border closures. (With inputs from agencies)

New Zealand to triple entry fees for tourists from October

International passenger arrivals more than doubled in 2022 over the previous year and should resemble pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to the UN's tourism organisation, as a result of the relaxation of travel restrictions, particularly in China.&nbsp;The World Tourism Organization, based in Madrid, said that there were 917 million international tourist arrivals last year, up from 455 million in 2021, calling it "stronger than expected results."

The UN organisation projects that by 2023, the number of international arrivals could increase by between 80 and 95 percent, even if it was still only 63 per cent of the level seen in 2019 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

"Looking ahead, international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up," the report said.

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The number of visitors to Europe, the most popular travel destination in the world, reached 585 million last year, or over 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

However, due to tighter pandemic-related restrictions, the Pacific area only achieved 23 per cent of pre-pandemic tourist visitation levels while Africa and the Americas only reached roughly 65 per cent.

(With inputs from agencies)

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International passenger arrivals more than doubled in 2022 over the previous year and should resemble pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to the UN's tourism organisation, as a result of the relaxation of travel restrictions, particularly in China.

International passenger arrivals more than doubled in 2022 over the previous year and should resemble pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to the UN's tourism organisation, as a result of the relaxation of travel restrictions, particularly in China. The World Tourism Organization, based in Madrid, said that there were 917 million international tourist arrivals last year, up from 455 million in 2021, calling it "stronger than expected results." The UN organisation projects that by 2023, the number of international arrivals could increase by between 80 and 95 percent, even if it was still only 63 per cent of the level seen in 2019 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. "Looking ahead, international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up," the report said. Also watch | UN designates Pakistan's Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist The number of visitors to Europe, the most popular travel destination in the world, reached 585 million last year, or over 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. However, due to tighter pandemic-related restrictions, the Pacific area only achieved 23 per cent of pre-pandemic tourist visitation levels while Africa and the Americas only reached roughly 65 per cent. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022 after easing of Covid curbs, says UN

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Butterflies back, but not tourists, at Mexico's famed monarch reserve

World Tourism Organization stated the number of international tourist arrivals is expected to drop sharply this year, reversing a previous forecast for a substantial increase.

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