Queenstown residents vote for tourist tax
Irked by overcrowded streets and high cost of living due to tourism, the residents of Queenstown have spoken.
Locals in New Zealand’s tourist hotspot have overwhelmingly voted in favour of taxing visiting tourists.
More than 81% voted for a tourist levy which would be processed through a bed tax.
Local authorities have long been struggling how to fund sufficient tourism infrastructure and facilities with limited local tax revenues.
Last year the town received 3.3 million visitors.
"We’re just starting to creak a little at the seams and we need to future-proof the place," Queenstown mayor Jim Boult said.
"They think it’s completely unfair they are having to shoulder the infrastructure spend for the jewel in the crown of New Zealand’s largest industry themselves … We’ve been looking for a way to share the load."
The central government recently green-lighted a tourism tax of $35 for foreign arrivals, not including Australia and the Pacific Islands.
However local officials believe it won’t get the required funding it needs from this alone.
A local tax would need to be cleared by the central government.
"The accommodation providers in the district are legitimately concerned about the potential impact on their businesses. We agree that something has to be done. If Queenstown is not working properly then the rest of New Zealand suffers … There is definitely a case for central government assistance," said Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief Chris Roberts.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events