New Zealand is full of natural treasures. Now he has decided to charge foreign tourists who want to see them

Mount cook (Aroaki) is one of the most emblematic places in Oceania, a mountain of something More than 3,700 m full -up New Zealand Alps and famous for its snowy peaks. The enclave is fascinating, as is the beach of Cathedral Cove, Milford Track or the Tongariro National Parkall natural treasures of New Zealand. If your government’s plans are ahead in not long foreigners must scratch their pocket to enjoy them.

The reason? New Zealand wants to charge them a rate.

Surprised friends. The announcement The country’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, and the Minister of Conservation, Tama Potaka: The Government wants to collect an extra rate to foreigners who visit some of the most popular protected spaces in New Zealand to help conserve them.

“Tourists contribute to our economy and nobody wants that to change,” Recognize Luxon. “But many times I have heard from foreign friends his surprise to be able to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free.”

The great icons. “The places that are special for New Zealand should be protected, so we will give more support to the DOC (Conservation Department) by introducing a position for foreign visitors to access the most crowded spaces “, Confirm The Prime Minister. At least the executive has in mind four of the most iconic spaces in the country: Cathedral Cove/te wahanganui-a-hei, Tongarino crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki Mount Cookspaces where foreigners usually represent 80% of visits.

A figure: € 20. The government not only handles a list of enclaves, it has also thought about a possible rate. In A statement Published this Saturday, the government slides that the “fair” is that foreigners who come to those “special places” pay an extra payment of between 20 and 40 Neozelands dollars per person, which translated into euros is equivalent to a fork of between 10 and 20 euros, more or less.

“For the natural heritage that will involve revenues of up to 62 million dollars a year (almost 32 million euros) that will be reimited directly in those same areas, so that we can continue to invest in the places that support much of our tourism sector,” I claim Potaka. The idea is that the fee is paid only by foreigners, not the locals, who can continue to access without costs. “It is our collective heritage and the Kiwis They shouldn’t have to pay. “

Is anything else known? Yes. The newspaper The Guardian Slide That the rates are probably imposed from next year. Another of the keys to which the government is already spinning is how to differentiate foreign visitors from Neozylalands, although it does not seem that this will be a great challenge.

“When you go to the Auckland Domain Museum, you have to show that you are from Auckland if you want a different price,” Remember Potaka. The same goes for the differentiated price of the routes. Foreigners pay a little more than the premises and there are different ways to demonstrate it, through passports, certificates, etc. “

Tourism slopes. The government’s decision comes after the Zealander economy Enter technical recession Last year, which has led the government to Search for formulas To stimulate growth. With that backdrop, tourism has revealed a valuable income route. During the last months the government has intensified your promotion, flexible The rules for the arrival of digital nomads and has made it easier for Chinese visitors.

As of November, the country will test a visa exemption program for travelers with Chinese passport traveling from Australia with a valid Australian visa. “This will make it easier, cheaper and fast for them to cross the Sea of Tasmania and visit our coasts,” reason Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. The country closed 2024 with 3.3 million of foreign visitors.

Are there more changes? Yes. New Zealand not only plans to charge an extra tax foreigners. In it release in which they announce that measure Luxon and Potaka advance their plans to modify the conservation law to facilitate “a new wave of concessions” in sectors such as tourism or agriculture.

The reason? The Executive remember That a large part of the territory is protected by its historical, cultural and biodiversity value, and although there are already businesses in that space (shepherds or ski slopes, for example) it is not easy to assemble them.

“To do so, a concession is needed, and the concession regime is totally broken. It often has been renewing it for years and leaves companies in a bureaucratic limbo.” The Executive speaks of “obsolete standards” and advances its intention to promote “more employment, growth and higher salaries.” The announcement has already earned you criticism of the environmental organization Forest & Bird.

Images | Christian Michel (Flickr) and Bernard Spragg. NZ (Flickr)

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