The provisional results of the Queenstown Lakes District Council's local visitor levy referendum show 81.37 per cent of respondents are in support.
The 41.45 per cent return was also ''significantly higher than anticipated'', mayor Jim Boult says.
Voting for the non-binding referendum closed on Wednesday - the result remains provisional until a final count is completed on June 10, however, Boult said it was unlikely to change significantly.
The result meant the council would now seek Government support for a legislation change to enable a 5 per cent levy on all short-term accommodation in the district.
Boult said the referendum result ''unequivocally'' sent a ''definitive message'' from the community to the Government.