Latest news with #MilfordSound
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
New Zealand's hottest destinations will start charging foreign tourists fees - here's why
Foreign visitor charges are planned at Milford Sound, Aoraki Mount Cook, Mautohe Cathedral Cove and Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Photo: File photos Explainer - If you're coming to New Zealand as a tourist to check out some of our most famous attractions, get ready to pay a little more for the privilege. The government announced recently that it was planning to introduce new foreign visitor charges at four famed hot spots - Milford Sound, Aoraki Mount Cook, Mautohe Cathedral Cove and Tongariro Alpine Crossing. But when will this happen, how much will it be, and what's next for tourism surcharges? Here's what you need to know. Many countries already charge tourists fees to visit popular sites, and the government sees this as a way to draw in extra revenue. In making the announcement, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said, "sites that are truly special to New Zealanders should be protected so we are giving DoC more support by introducing a charge for foreign visitors to access high volume sites." The government said it estimated up to $62 million could be generated by the fees. "Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change. But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free," Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said, calling it "only fair" that foreign visitors make an additional payment. Luxon said there were no plans for New Zealanders to pay a fee. "It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it." The Tourism Industry Association's Greg Thomas, general manager for membership and advocacy, said it was important to be sure the charges were fairly applied. "Tourism Industry Aotearoa is generally supportive of DoC having the authority to introduce access charges at high-use tourism locations, but only where it's fair and benefits the visitor experience." Tourism sector advisor and Lincoln University emeritus professor David Simmons said such fees are pretty common overseas now. "The logic is New Zealanders have already contributed under broad taxation to run the Department of Conservation while International visitors have not. "Dual-pricing systems, where foreigners pay more than locals to visit national parks, museums and heritage sites, are becoming more popular globally as a means to raise revenue for infrastructure or to control overtourism." Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii That still hasn't quite been determined, but in the announcement a figure of between $20 to $40 was given. "It's important to emphasise no final decisions have yet been made on the exact visitor fees," a spokesperson for Conservation Minister Potaka's office told RNZ. "This is an initial estimate only and includes assumptions around visitor willingness to pay and the expectation that there would be some non-compliance from visitors. "Further analysis will be done as part of the next stage of work to decide the implementation and cost of charging international visitors. We will be working through the details, consulting with Treaty partners and communities, and making the necessary changes to conservation legislation." Cathedral Cove. Photo: Supplied The earliest visitor fees would be introduced is summer 2027, the spokesperson said. Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, Cathedral Cove and Aoraki Mount Cook were picked because of their international prominence, but may not be the only sites eventually charging extra for tourists. Potaka said foreigners often make up 80 percent of all tourists at these spots. "We're investigating having a visitor fee at up to 10 sites," the spokesperson said. "Other sites will be explored in the future, based on learnings from the initial sites." Speaking to media after the announcement, Potaka said some work was needed to determine whether someone was a foreign visitor or a New Zealander. "When you go to the Auckland Domain Museum, you have to prove that you're an Aucklander, if you want a different price," he said. Simmons said there would likely be limited negative reaction to the new fees. "The transactions (fee collection) must be smooth, and importantly visitors must be able to see where and how their fees have been applied. "There will be costs in collection (potentially at each site) and these will need to be offset against anticipated revenue." There are several options being considered to collect fees, the Conservation Minister's spokesperson said. "As part of this we will consider approaches taken overseas, such as the use of online booking systems, ticket booths and park passes," the spokesperson said. The Conservation Minister's office cited places such as Banff National Park in Canada and Yellowstone National Park in the US. Yellowstone, for example, typically charges US$35 (NZ$59) per vehicle entering the park, including all passengers. The Tongariro Crossing draws many foreign visitors each year. Photo: Maridav/123RF The $62 million estimate came from taking estimated international visitor numbers at the initial four proposed sites and multiplying them by fees of $20 for the smaller experiences (Tongariro and Cathedral Cove), and $40 for the larger experiences (Milford Sound and Aoraki), the Conservation Minister's office said. The money raised will be ringfenced for conservation work. "For example, it will help maintain and improve tracks, huts, toilets, and biodiversity protection," the spokesperson said. Some sites have had widely publicised access and infrastructure problems, such as the Cathedral Cove track which was closed for nearly two years after storm and cyclone damage. Thomas said the tourism industry hopes the funds will provide tangible benefits. "TIA sense that there is a preparedness by visitors to pay for high-quality experiences. In charging, we need to ensure that we are delivering to this expectation, including care for the place and facilities for visitors to use. "So, it is pleasing to see the commitment to investing the funds raised in the place they are generated. This is key to enabling quality management of these places, and will help to improve conservation in that area, directly benefiting those paying the charges." Earlier, Ruapehu District mayor Weston Kirton told RNZ he welcomed the prospect of the extra charge, but the money must be spread fairly, including to local councils who have to deal with the influx of tourists. "Tongariro Crossing is a magnet for a lot of people coming from overseas," he said. "There are huge numbers in the summertime. "I think this is a responsible way of actually addressing some of the urgent needs that we've got in our DOC estates, and our facilities and amenities, whereby the local people are having to pay for the infrastructure that we provide for overseas visitors." Kirton said maintaining camping grounds and toilets, and managing rubbish cost money. Locations like Te Papa also charge foreign tourists higher fees. Photo: CC4.0 An International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy was introduced in 2019 . It was nearly tripled in price from $35 to $100 last year. Simmons said that levy does not apply to all foreign visitors, however. "This offers efficiency via its single point of collection (Immigration). It is however inequitable in its application, only engaging some 56 percent of international visitors due to various free trade agreements (Australia and some Pacific Islands for example are exempt)." New Zealand's Great Walks, including such iconic treks as the Milford Track, also charge higher fees for tourists. "Only Great Walk offerings (huts and campsites) have differential pricing in place at the moment," DoC Deputy Director-General Policy and Regulatory Services Ruth Isaac told RNZ. "These have been in place since 2020 (though were trialled in 2018/19)." Those prices run anywhere from $35 to $152 in peak season for adults depending on the locations. Locations like Te Papa in Wellington also charge higher fees for international visitors. "It is important to consider the cumulative cost for visitors, and any charges need to be considered alongside those already paid by visitors through the International Visitor Levy (IVL), along with concessionaire charges," TIA's Thomas said. "We have seen a trend for visitors to be charged to access other iconic places around the world, think of some of the national parks around the world. "Tourism is a globally competitive industry, and while it isn't uncommon overseas we need to be careful to ensure that what we charge aligns with visitors' expectation of value for money." There also needs to be care in applying too many different fees that may overwhelm visitors. "In the wider picture we have some destinations (e.g., Waiheke and Rakiura Islands) advocating for visitor fees, and ongoing debate about bed taxes in Auckland and Queenstown," Simmons said. "From the point of view of the tourist experience in a small country such as NZ a single fee, collected at a single point removes the wear and tear of numerous fees along the itinerary." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Bloomberg
New Zealand Joins Growing Trend to Charge Foreign Tourists More
By and Tracy Withers Save New Zealand is joining a growing list of countries that charge foreigners more to visit popular tourist sites. The government plans to levy a fee of as much as NZ$40 ($24) on foreign visitors to key natural attractions such as Milford Sound, the majestic fjord reputedly described by the writer Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world. The charge, which could be introduced in 2027, won't apply to New Zealand residents.
The Independent
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Why New Zealand is introducing a new foreign tourist charge
New Zealand is set to introduce charges for foreign tourists visiting four of its most renowned natural attractions. Overseas visitors will be expected to pay between NZ$20 (£8.87) and $40 (£17.75) to visit sites such as Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki Mount Cook. The plan, announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, aims to create jobs and increase wages. The revenue generated, estimated at up to $62m (£28m) annually, will be directly reinvested into the conservation estate. New Zealand citizens will remain exempt from these fees, which are anticipated to be implemented from 2027.
The Independent
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New Zealand to charge foreign tourists to visit famous natural sites
New Zealand is set to charge foreign tourists to enter four of the country's most famous natural attractions under a conservation plan. Overseas visitors can expect to pay between NZ$20 (£8.87) and $40 (£17.75) to visit the sites. The measures, announced by prime minister Christopher Luxon and conservation minister Tama Potaka, are part of a plan to create more jobs and boost wages. The first locations to introduce the charges will be Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki Mount Cook, where foreigners often account for 80 per cent of all visitors. Conservation minister Tama Potaka said: 'Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change. 'But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free. 'It's only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution of between $20 and $40 per person.' 'For the conservation estate that will mean up to $62m (£28m) per year in revenue, which will be directly re-invested into those same areas, so we can keep investing in the sites that underpin so much of our tourism sector,' Mr Potaka said. The plan announced on Saturday 2 July highlighted missed opportunities for tourism on conversation estate due to 'outdated rules'. Prime minister Christopher Luxon said: 'Many New Zealanders already run outstanding businesses on the conservation estate – from guided walks and ski fields, to filming documentaries, grazing sheep and cattle, or hosting concerts and building cell phone towers. 'But to do any of that, you need a concession – and the concessions regime is totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo.' Entry for New Zealanders would remain free. The Prime Minister said: 'It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it.' 'If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs, and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way,' Mr Luxon added.
Telegraph
28-06-2025
- Telegraph
The world's greatest national parks
National parks come in all shapes, sizes, topographies and ecosystems. But they're uniformly great. Why? Because they preserve the planet's best wild bits, encompassing Mother Nature at her most show-off: spewing geysers, massive mountains, rocks in improbable shapes, wildlife in uncountable numbers. National parks are the sorts of places that can turn kids from screen-addicts to outdoor explorers; that can turn all of us into advocates for the planet. National parks are good for us too. It's well documented that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, not to mention the health benefits of the hiking, biking, paddling, swimming, running, rafting and more we might engage in while we're there. The activity options are as diverse as the parks themselves. No matter if you prefer icy expanses, deserts, jungles, islands, highlands, human culture or utter emptiness, somewhere there's a park for you. While we've extensively covered the UK's top spots, and zoomed in on Europe, here are some more of the best that the world has to offer. Skip to: Water worlds Animal encounters Family travel Wild adventures Superb landscapes Water worlds Best for cruising Fiordland, New Zealand Rudyard Kipling visited majestic Milford Sound in the 1890s, deeming it 'the eighth wonder of the world'. But attention-grabbing Milford – doable on a day-trip from Te Anau – is only one of 14 ice-carved inlets within Fiordland. This vast South Island park is also home to hundreds of lakes, endless rainforest and three official Great Walks: the Kepler, Milford and Routeburn tracks. However, as most of Fiordland's sounds are only accessible from the sea, the best way to fully explore is by boat. Do it: Heritage Expeditions (+64 3 365 3500) offers a 10-day Ultimate Fiordland cruise from £3,825pp full board; excludes flights. Best for off-beat beaches Ko Tarutao, Thailand Many of Thailand's beaches have been loved to near-death. But paradise can still be found within this marine national park. Though only 90 minutes by speedboat from the popular Malaysian isle of Langkawi, the 51 isles of Tarutao (which means, appropriately, 'primitive') are little-developed and pristine. The main islands are Tarutao and Ko Adang; paradisiacal Ko Lipe is a good base for dive trips. Other activities include jungle hikes, meeting the local Urak Lawoi and snorkelling on Thailand's finest reefs. Do it: Bamboo Travel (020 7720 9285) offers a 16-day Island Hopping Kuala Lumpur to Krabi trip, including Ko Lipe, from £3,570pp including B&B accommodation and flights. Best for quirky inhabitants Galápagos, Ecuador There's nowhere like this Pacific-stranded archipelago, both in terms of unique (and fearless) wildlife and scientific import – Darwin developed his evolutionary theory here. Landscapes are volcanic and dramatic, waters clear, the inhabitants quirky: sea-swimming iguanas, northerly penguins, giant tortoises, beak-jousting albatross. Land-based trips are possible, but cruising offers greater variety. Highlights include visiting Santa Cruz's Charles Darwin Research Station, snorkelling with sea lions and turtles, and watching blue-footed boobies perform their comedy courtship dance. Do it: Select Latin America (0207 407 1478) offers a 17-day Full Galapagos trip, visiting all the islands, from £8,763pp full board; includes 14-night cruise; excludes international flights. Best for cascading falls Plitvice, Croatia Water, water everywhere – that's Plitvice. More than 90 waterfalls tinkle between the 16 interconnected lakes and karst canyons of this beautiful blue-green park in Croatia's central Dinaric Alps. Explore via the network of trails, which range from 3km to 18km – medium-length Walk B leads through the limestone canyon of the Lower Lakes and includes an electric-boat ride across Lake Kozjak (where rowing boats can also be hired) plus either a scenic train ride back, or a walk along the canyon rim. Do it: Regent (0117 453 3001) offers a seven-day Zagreb and Plitvice trip from £1,235pp including B&B accommodation and flights. Animal encounters Best for big creatures Komodo, Indonesia The rugged, volcanic isles of Komodo, Rinca and Padar sit at the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, at the juncture of tectonic plates and the meeting of ecosystems. The wildlife here is extraordinary – and huge. This is the only place on the planet to see Komodo dragons – armoured lizards that grow up to three metres long – and there are big critters offshore too, with dazzling coral reefs attracting turtles, whales, manta rays and whale sharks. As to be expected, the snorkelling is superb. Do it: Seatrek offers a nine-day Whale Sharks, Corals & Dragons cruise from £4,039pp full board; excludes flights. Best for tigers Corbett, India This gorgeous park, scenically tucked into Uttarakhand's Himalayan foothills, has the highest concentration of tigers in India and was named for hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett (whose house – now a museum – can be visited in Kaladhungi). This is where Project Tiger was launched; an initiative that helps protect the big cats countrywide. Game drives explore Corbett's hills, sal forests, marshes, grasses and bamboo groves; other species that might be spotted include elephant, leopard, sloth bear and almost 600 species of birds. Do it: Wild Frontiers (020 3918 4034) offers a Wild India & Nepal trip from £8,350pp, combining Corbett with Bardia and Chitwan, including full-board accommodation and flights. Best for gorillas Bwindi Impenetrable, Uganda Few places offer the chance to meet mountain gorillas. And Bwindi, home to half of the world's population of the endangered apes, is a considerably less expensive option – trekking permits (allowing one hour with the gorillas) cost US$800 (£591) in Uganda versus US$1,500 (£1,108) in Rwanda. Bwindi also offers Gorilla Habituation Experiences (US$1,500), which include four hours with a group still being habituated. The park's lush, Afromontane forest is home to plenty more, too: look for blue monkeys and 345 species of birds. Do it: Rainbow Tours (0203 773 7945) offers a 13-night Uganda trip from £7,260pp including accommodation, most meals, gorilla permits and flights. Best for safaris Kruger, South Africa Covering South Africa's northeast corner, Kruger is the country's oldest national park. It's home to the Big Five and packed with game. Best, it caters to all budgets: save by self-driving and staying at rest-camps, or splurge on luxe lodges within private park concessions (Singita has two of the finest properties). It's also abutted by the Greater Kruger, where night drives and bush walks are permitted, and where you can meet the Black Mambas, the first all-female anti-poaching unit. Do it: Intrepid (0808 274 5111) offers an eight-day Kruger to Vic Falls small-group trip from £1,364pp including accommodation, most meals and Black Mambas experience, excluding flights. Family travel Best for school summer holidays Wilpattu (and Minneriya), Sri Lanka Welcoming and diverse, Sri Lanka is great for adventurous families. For that reason, two top parks deserve a mention, and both are conveniently best-visited during school summer holidays, when the monsoon is hitting elsewhere. Wilpattu, in the north-east, is the country's largest park, and jeep drives amid its scrub forest and villu (shallow lakes) might reveal water buffalo, sambar, leopard and sloth bear. Meanwhile, the grasslands of Minneriya, in the island's centre, host the greatest-known gathering of Asian elephants. Do it: Stubborn Mule (01728 752751) offers a 15-day Sri Lanka Summer Tour from £13,940 per family of four including B&B accommodation and flights. Best for Alternative Alps Pyrenees, France The Pyrenees aren't like other French mountains. This is la frontière sauvage ('the wild frontier'), a jagged bastion of peaks, cirques and tarns on the Spanish border – less chocolate box and less crowded than the Alps. The national park covers a chunk of the range, south of Lourdes, that is home to the waterfall-splattered amphitheatre of the Cirque du Gavarnie, glittering Gaube Lake, 2,877m Pic du Midi (cable car accessible) and traditionally Pyrenean access valleys such as Cauterets and Azun. The hiking is fabulous, and there are plenty of other family activities, too. Do it: Macs Adventure (0141 530 5452) offers an eight-day Walking in the Pyrenees trip from £965pp including B&B accommodation; excludes flights. Wild adventures Best for hiking Torres del Paine, Chile Patagonia isn't short on breathtaking wilderness, but Torres del Paine scoops top prize. This Unesco Biosphere is speared by granite peaks and blanketed in emerald forests, turquoise lagoons, glistening glaciers and wildlife-rich pampas where endangered huemul deer and puma might be spotted. Numerous activities are possible: mountain-biking, 4WD-ing, kayaking among icebergs on Lago Grey. The hiking is sublime, from shorter treks to lookouts (such as Mirador Cuernos) to the full O Circuit, which loops the Paine massif – one of the world's best treks. Do it: KE Adventure (017687 73966) offers a 12-day Classic Paine Circuit small-group trek from £7,395pp including accommodation, meals and flights. Best for rainforest Manu, Peru Ranging from high Andes to lowland Amazonian rainforest, Manu contains a marvellous mix of South American ecosystems. It's remote and relatively hard to reach, which means it's pristine and full of creatures: jaguar, ocelot, giant river otter, spectacled bear, 1,000-plus species of birds. You might see hummingbirds in the cloudforest, macaws flocking at clay-licks and Andean cock-of-the-rocks performing mating displays. The best way to explore is via the 'Manu Road', hopping between lodges in different altitudinal zones to see the full spectrum of life. Do it: Naturetrek (01962 733051) offers an 18-day Manu small-group trip from £7,995pp including full-board accommodation and flights. Best for bragging rights Corcovado, Costa Rica Nosing into the Pacific Ocean, the Osa Peninsula takes up around 0.001 per cent of the planet's surface but packs in 2.5 per cent of its biodiversity. And this is where you'll find Corcovado. It's harder to access than the country's other national parks; visitor numbers are capped and guides are mandatory. But the reward is a crowd-free Eden. Hikes might reveal monkeys, anteaters, sloths and scarlet macaws. A night at La Sirena Ranger Station (the only accommodation within the park) is the ultimate immersion. Do it: Pura Aventura (01273 676712) offers a 13-night Costa Rica Hidden Highlights self-drive from £3,160pp including B&B accommodation; excludes flights. Best for walking safaris South Luangwa, Zambia Zambia offers a lower-key safari experience than many better-known spots, and is richer for it. Especially South Luangwa, a sweeping expanse of riverside plains in the country's east. It was here that conservationist Norman Carr pioneered walking safaris (you can still stay at Carr's camps, such as Mchenja). Bush walks are the most thrilling way to encounter South Luangwa's residents – which includes wild dogs and one of the world's highest densities of leopards – in the company of some of Africa's best guides. Do it: Yellow Zebra (020 3993 3564) offers a nine-day Founders of Zambia's Walking Safaris trip from £8,273pp including full-board accommodation; excludes flights. Superb landscapes Best for dark skies Jasper, Canada In 2024, wildfires burned 96,000 acres of Canada's biggest national park. But don't let that put you off: already, nature is rebounding, and the community spirit is inspirational. Plus, some of the Rockies' most dramatic mountain views are here, as well as glorious glacial lakes (like Maligne), crashing waterfalls and one of the world's finest drives: the Icefields Parkway, linking Jasper to Banff via a magnificence of peaks. Jasper is also the world's second-largest Dark Sky Preserve – its glittering skies are celebrated at a festival every October. Do it: Trailfinders (0207 084 6500) offers a 14-day Rocky Mountain Wanderer self-drive from £3,699pp including room-only accommodation and flights. Best for a road trip Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef, Utah, USA Yes, this is a bit cheat-y, but it's hard to separate the 'Mighty 5' that, together, make southern Utah a national park paradise. The best thing is to road-trip between them. Wander through Canyonlands – its beautiful buttes have featured in many a movie; hike trails to some of Arches' 2,000 namesake red-rock curves; explore the lesser-known geological wrinkles and ancient petroglyphs of Capitol Reef; star-gaze amid the curious hoodoos in Bryce; and squeeze into Zion's slender slot canyons. Do it: Bon Voyage (02380 248248) offers an 11-night Spectacular Utah Deluxe self-drive from £3,495pp including room-only accommodation and flights. Best for dreamy desert Namib-Naukluft, Namibia There are big national parks, then there's the enormous Namib-Naukluft, encompassing one of the oldest deserts on earth as well as the rocky, ravine-sliced Naukluft Mountains (great for hikes and horse-rides). Most iconic are the curvaceous apricot dunes of the Sesriem area, the striking-white salt-and-clays pans of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Self-drive is also possible with good roads. Seeing the rippling sands from the sky – via small plane or hot-air balloon – is unforgettable. Do it: Expert Africa (0203 405 6666) offers a 14-day Caracal Self-drive, with four nights in the park, from £2,490pp including accommodation and most meals, excluding flights. Best for originality Yellowstone, USA Designated in 1872, Yellowstone was the world's first national park, and has lost none of its lustre. It has 10,000 hydrothermal features, including around half the world's active geysers, plus other geological wonders like the 3,115m Mt Washburn and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Top wildlife areas include the Lamar Valley (the 'Serengeti of North America', where grey wolves have been reintroduced) and Hayden Valley, home to huge bison herds. Sample the 90-plus hiking trails, go horse-riding or lake canoeing, and enjoy hot-spring soaks. Do it: Journeyscape (0203 733 4413) offers an eight-day Yellowstone Wildlife Adventure from £10,500pp including B&B accommodation; excludes flights. Best for ancient culture Kakadu, Australia Sprawling across the top of the Northern Territory, Kakadu is vast – almost half the size of Switzerland. It's also ancient, both in terms of its striking rock formations (some of the oldest on Earth) and its human history – Indigenous people have lived here for 65,000 years. Guided walks to rock art galleries such as Ubirr and Burrungkuy are highlights, as are billabong cruises (look for crocs and jabiru storks) and hikes to waterfalls such as the 200m-high Jim Jim and gorge-spilled Maguk. Do it: World Expeditions (0800 0744 135) offers a six-day Kakadu Explorer small-group trip from £1,895pp including camping and meals, excluding flights. Best for sheer size Northeast Greenland, Greenland Northeast Greenland is hard to comprehend. The world's biggest national park (it's almost the size of Spain and France combined), there are no settlements or infrastructure, and most of it is permanently covered by ice. But what a wilderness – unspoilt, pristine. Expedition cruises tend to nibble at its southern edges, drifting through Kong Oscar Fjord, with possible landings on craggy Ella Island and flower-rich Botanikerbugt bay. Sightings might include icebergs, muskoxen and, season dependent, midnight sun or northern lights.
