Travel experts believe that now isn't the time to push up the fees for overseas tourists.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is rising almost 200% from next month, from $35 to $100.

The money raised will go back into services and infrastructure used by visitors to the country.

Intrepid Travel general manager Eve Lawrence told Ryan Bridge New Zealand's tourism recovery is still lagging behind other countries.

She says we're only sitting at 80% of pre-Covid numbers, while Australia is expected to hit 100% by the end of the year.

LISTEN ABOVE

Travel experts believe that now isn't the time to push up the fees for overseas tourists. 
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is rising almost 200% from next month, from $35 to $100. 
The money raised will go back into services and infrastructure used by visitors to the country. 
Intrepid Travel general manager Eve Lawrence told Ryan Bridge New Zealand's tourism recovery is still lagging behind other countries. 
She says we're only sitting at 80% of pre-Covid numbers, while Australia is expected to hit 100% by the end of the year. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Eve Lawrence: Intrepid Travel GM on the risks of raising the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

At least 12 people have died after the capsize of a migrant boat in the English Channel.

The French Coastguard has rescued more than 50.

It's the deadliest disaster in the Channel so far this year.

Downing Street is labelling the disaster "truly horrific", and says it's determined to further crack down on dangerous people-smuggling operations.

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that more than 20,000 people have made the crossing from France to the UK this year, but the number of deaths has also risen significantly.

LISTEN ABOVE

At least 12 people have died after the capsize of a migrant boat in the English Channel. 
The French Coastguard has rescued more than 50. 
It's the deadliest disaster in the Channel so far this year. 
Downing Street is labelling the disaster "truly horrific", and says it's determined to further crack down on dangerous people-smuggling operations. 
UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that more than 20,000 people have made the crossing from France to the UK this year, but the number of deaths has also risen significantly. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on the migrant boat capsizing in the English Channel

I have zero issues with foreign visitors paying more to visit New Zealand. The tax hike that is being touted is big – $35 up to $100 per visitor, and that is substantial.

Crucially though, our Aussie mates are exempt, and they make up 40% of our market. So that's a good chunk who won't be contributing and shouldn't be affected in terms of numbers visiting us here.

The impact, the overall impact still quite unclear.

The Government on one hand says they've got MBIE advice, which is always good advice, saying that it won't be a significant impact. The industry says we will have 48,000 fewer visitors coming here and they'll take their almost $300 million spend elsewhere. The industry says this is alarming.

It's possible they're both right here. The total tourist numbers visiting in the year to June is 3.2 million. So, 48,000 is both not significant if you're the Government, but alarming if you're the industry.

The cold, hard reality is we're not as hot as we used to be when it comes to New Zealand as a destination, not as sexy, you could say.

Post-Covid, our recovery has stalled. I think we're at about 73% of pre-Covid levels in terms of visitors.

Largely, this is about cost. It’s not because our mountains are any less beautiful, our lakes less attractive, it’s largely about the cost of getting here.

But those issues, you know, the plane supply, the routes, et cetera, should subside. And when that happens, don't we want the extra money to maintain our walking tracks and to give the Germans somewhere to go to the loo?

I would have thought so.

And if it's going to put anyone off, wouldn't it be the low spending, high infrastructure using smelly backpacker variety? Of which I have been one, I'm not disparaging them, and, well, I suppose I am disparaging them a little, disparaging myself.

But don't we want sort of higher spending, higher yield tourists coming here? Using less of the country and less of its resources and infrastructure but spending more?

I have zero issues with foreign visitors paying more to visit New Zealand. The tax hike that is being touted is big – $35 up to $100 per visitor, and that is substantial. 
Crucially though, our Aussie mates are exempt, and they make up 40% of our market. So that's a good chunk who won't be contributing and shouldn't be affected in terms of numbers visiting us here. 
The impact, the overall impact still quite unclear. 
The Government on one hand says they've got MBIE advice, which is always good advice, saying that it won't be a significant impact. The industry says we will have 48,000 fewer visitors coming here and they'll take their almost $300 million spend elsewhere. The industry says this is alarming. 
It's possible they're both right here. The total tourist numbers visiting in the year to June is 3.2 million. So, 48,000 is both not significant if you're the Government, but alarming if you're the industry. 
The cold, hard reality is we're not as hot as we used to be when it comes to New Zealand as a destination, not as sexy, you could say. 
Post-Covid, our recovery has stalled. I think we're at about 73% of pre-Covid levels in terms of visitors. 
Largely, this is about cost. It’s not because our mountains are any less beautiful, our lakes less attractive, it’s largely about the cost of getting here. 
But those issues, you know, the plane supply, the routes, et cetera, should subside. And when that happens, don't we want the extra money to maintain our walking tracks and to give the Germans somewhere to go to the loo? 
I would have thought so. 
And if it's going to put anyone off, wouldn't it be the low spending, high infrastructure using smelly backpacker variety? Of which I have been one, I'm not disparaging them, and, well, I suppose I am disparaging them a little, disparaging myself. 
But don't we want sort of higher spending, higher yield tourists coming here? Using less of the country and less of its resources and infrastructure but spending more?

Ryan Bridge: Don't we want higher spending, higher yield tourists coming here?

A terrorism expert says New Zealanders need to be more aware of the threat of terrorism. 

The SIS identifies a person acting alone as our biggest terrorist risk and warns of a small number of people subscribing to violent extremist ideologies. 

It's also concerned about foreign interference and how many young people are engaging with violent extremist rhetoric.

Massey University International Security Expert John Battersby told Ryan Bridge that locals need to wake up to the realistic possibility of an attack. 

He says New Zealanders tend to not take potential risks seriously.

LISTEN ABOVE

A terrorism expert says New Zealanders need to be more aware of the threat of terrorism.  
The SIS identifies a person acting alone as our biggest terrorist risk and warns of a small number of people subscribing to violent extremist ideologies.  
It's also concerned about foreign interference and how many young people are engaging with violent extremist rhetoric. 
Massey University International Security Expert John Battersby told Ryan Bridge that locals need to wake up to the realistic possibility of an attack.  
He says New Zealanders tend to not take potential risks seriously. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Eve Lawrence: Intrepid Travel GM on the risks of raising the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

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