Levy not well thought out, Northland tourism leader says

Jeroen Jongejans said the new tourism levy would not achieve the results as it lacked details. PHOTO/NZME

A Northland tourism leader said a proposed $25 levy on international tourists visiting New Zealand was not "very well thought out."

But it's been welcomed by one Northland mayor.

Jeroen Jongejans, co-owner of Dive Tutukaka and deputy chair of the Tourism Industry Association, said uncertainty around collection and classification of international visitors were key problems that could arise if the new levy came into force.

His comments followed an announcement by Labour's tourism spokesman Kris Faafoi the party would establish a "Tourism and Conservation Infrastructure Fund" that will invest $75 million a year into supporting the tourism economy, if elected.

It would also invest $30 million in protecting and enhancing New Zealand's natural environment, as well as the infrastructure tourists use on conservation land.

While some of the details needed to be ironed out, he hoped the levy would be paid when tourists buy their flight tickets, before they come into the country, "so we don't have any issues at the border".

It would need to ensure it would not be attached to New Zealand residents' tickets or Kiwis coming home. Councils could access the fund by making a funding bid.

Mr Jongejans wondered if Kiwis living in Australia would be considered international tourists.

"Government already collects $1.2 billion in GST from international tourists each year so that's a significant amount of money sitting there that could be used in infrastructure.

"Having said that, it's good to look at ways of funding tourism infrastructure but this levy is not going to deliver the results," he said.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai said WDC in principle supported the user pays levies.

She said the proposed fund could help in a number of ways including providing improved access to WDC's coastal assets, carparking infrastructure at high demand visitor sites, public toilets, support for cultural tourism ventures, and additional capacity in the wastewater network.

Northland Inc said while it supported any government investment into tourism development, it did not have a view on how money may be collected for that purpose.

Far North mayor John Carter said since the country was in the middle of a general election campaign, it was inappropriate to comment on the issue.

Kaipara mayor Greg Gent said he'd rather wait until after the election to comment on policies of parties.