National's promising councils a share of the International Visitor Levy instead of a bed tax.

It wants to split revenue from the $100 levy - currently going to conservation and tourism. 

It would ring-fence $150 million a year for that, letting councils divvy out the remainder based on their number of international guest nights. 

Tourism Spokesperson Louise Upston says New Zealand's cities have differing needs for that funding and it'll be split accordingly.

"This way, it'll get funding from the 1st of July next year, whereas a bed tax would have been at least May '29 before they got any funding - and the best part about this is that Kiwis won't be taxed any time they stay in a hotel." 

LISTEN ABOVE

National's promising councils a share of the International Visitor Levy instead of a bed tax.
It wants to split revenue from the $100 levy - currently going to conservation and tourism.&nbsp;
It would ring-fence $150 million a year for that, letting councils divvy out the remainder based on their number of international guest nights.&nbsp;
Tourism Spokesperson Louise Upston says New Zealand's cities have differing needs for that funding and it'll be split accordingly.
"This way, it'll get funding from the 1st of July next year, whereas a bed tax would have been at least May '29 before they got any funding - and the best part about this is that Kiwis won't be taxed any time they stay in a hotel."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Louise Upston: Tourism Minister on the Government proposing an International Visitor Levy instead of a bed tax

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dc95e77d-aef6-4a54-916c-b4bf005c4930/transcript