New Zealand announced plans on Friday to introduce a tourist tax and increase other fees for international visitors to fund infrastructure development amid a tourist boom. Tourism numbers in the country of 4.5- million have surged by nearly a third in the past three years to 3.8-million in the year to April. "This rapid growth has impacted on the costs and availability of publicly-provided infrastructure," tourism minister Kelvin Davis said. "Many regions are struggling to cope and urgently need improved infrastructure, from toilet facilities to carparks." A tax of NZ$25-35 (US$17-24) would be imposed on international visitors from mid-next year while price hikes for immigration fees and visas will take effect this November. Australians and most Pacific Island forum countries would be exempt. Tourism is a key pillar of the New Zealand economy and the new tax is expected to raise up to NZ$80-million in its first year, which will be split between tourism infrastructure and conservatio...
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