This Fall, New Zealand plans to triple its tourist tax.

If you're eager to discover the 150 islands of the Bay of Islands, enjoy craft beers in Wellington, or take on one of the Great Walks in New Zealand, be prepared to increase your travel budget.

Starting October 1, the South Pacific nation will raise its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) from NZ$35 (around US$22) to NZ$100 (approximately US$62).

According to New Zealand's Minister for Hospitality and Tourism, Matt Doocey, "International tourism brings costs for local communities, including increased strain on regional infrastructure and greater maintenance demands on our conservation areas." He emphasized that the tax hike will help ensure visitors contribute to public services and enjoy quality experiences in New Zealand.

First implemented in 2019, the tourist tax was established to offset the costs of conservation and tourism. It funds initiatives aimed at preserving nature, like maintaining trails, protecting the kākāpō (a flightless parrot), and controlling pests. Many of these efforts focus on national parks, one of New Zealand's top attractions.

The announcement has sparked dissatisfaction among some groups. Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA), New Zealand's independent tourism organization, issued a statement suggesting that this move could discourage visitors, particularly due to New Zealand's distant location.

"New Zealand’s tourism recovery is lagging behind other nations, and this will further diminish our competitiveness on the global stage," TIA stated.

International visitors are required to pay a flat fee when they apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (mandatory for citizens of visa waiver countries, including the USA) or a tourist visa. Travelers from Australia and most Pacific Islands are exempt; however, citizens from all other nations must pay. The NZeTA can be requested online and may take up to 72 hours for processing. Once granted, it remains valid for two years, allowing stays of up to three months at a time.

Tourism taxes are common, with over 60 destinations worldwide currently implementing such fees to tackle overtourism. Some regions charge either a fixed nightly rate or a percentage of the accommodation price, typically added to hotel bills. For instance, Iceland now levies 600 Icelandic krona (about US$4) per night, while Budapest takes 4 percent of the nightly hotel rate. Other cities, like Venice and Amsterdam, charge day visitors approximately US$6 and US$16, respectively. Additionally, one-time tourist fees are collected in places like Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands (US$200), Bali in Indonesia (US$10), and Mexico’s Quintana Roo (US$11).

The hike in the tourist tax isn’t the only increase travelers from certain countries should prepare for. On the same day, the cost of tourist visas will also rise from US$131 to US$211. However, nationals from around 60 countries and territories, including the United States, can benefit from a visa waiver, allowing them to visit and travel within the country for up to three months.