Tourism levy could be in place by 2019

HAMISH MCNEILLY An international levy could be in place by early next year, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis has confirmed.

Davis told media at the Trenz tourism conference in Dunedin on Thursday an announcement about a levy on international visitors would come ‘‘within weeks’’ and potentially be implemented by Budget 2019.

Labour promised to introduce a $25 head levy during its election campaign. It said the levy would provide $75m-a-year for a Tourism and Conservation Infrastructure Fund to provide a ‘‘world-class experience’’ for tourists without burdening local communities.

‘‘We are looking at a range of options, we have pretty much worked out a number of issues, we will be making an announcement in the next few weeks,’’ Davis said.

Foreign tourist numbers hit 3.7 million last year, up from 500,000 two decades ago, putting pressure on infrastructure, from toilets in small centres to the huts and walkways on DOC’s worldfamous walks.

Davis called tourism ‘‘our economic bedrock’’. Figures indicated double-digit growth ‘‘and I say bring it on,’’ he said.

He said there was a risk New Zealanders’ attitudes about tourism could harden on issues such as freedom camping. Those issues were ‘‘complex and needed a well-considered response’’, Davis said.

A tourism industry mood of the nation survey of 500 residents late last year found 40 per cent of Kiwis were worried about the impact of the tourism boom.

Davis was concerned many young people did not see tourism as a viable career option because of pay and hours. He wanted that to change.