Paying twice

Dave Armstrong’s article (Let’s catch the tourism wave with a levy, December 5) was poorly researched. He noted that taxing a levy on tourists using attractions like Wellington’s cable car might not work because it’s used by many Wellingtonians who already pay for infrastructure via rates.

Throughout New Zealand Kiwis are booking and staying in commercial accommodation as well. In the regions domestic tourism and corporates dominate occupancies. These Kiwis do not want to pay twice for infrastructure either.

A fairer way would be to collect the tax at the airport – better still, siphon out returning Kiwis and collect from international arrivals only. Singling out accommodation is hugely unfair and inequitable on an industry where not all are enjoying the so-called ‘tourism boom’. RUSSELL and VIV WILLIS Waikanae

‘‘Many Australians would hope our government could achieve half that much.’’ salutes John Key for achievements that it says include raising GST and slowing the Kiwi exodus to Australia.