In the five years since the international visitor conservation and tourism levy (IVL) has been in place, the Queenstown Lakes district is allegedly yet to receive a single dollar from it.
In its submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on the IVL review, the Queenstown Lakes District Council has essentially argued that before the levy is increased for tourists, "the accountability and transparency of the IVL investment is increased".
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers said while 50% of proceeds from the levy were tagged for tourism, "this district has got the grand total of zero dollars from the IVL since ... 2019".
According to an MBIE survey, one in every three international tourists to New Zealand visits the Queenstown Lakes district.
Recommending IVL tourism investment be apportioned between the 30 areas that have destination management plans, and by total visitor numbers to each area, the council’s submission also says the IVL lacks "the rigour, the scale and the targeting to actively address the real impacts of tourism, and therefore misses the opportunity to ensure that international visitors make a meaningful contribution to support local communities".
"While QLDC agrees that the current levels of IVL revenue are not sufficient to address issues facing tourism and conservation, the IVL cannot be considered a sole solution to tourism funding in Aotearoa New Zealand, and must be considered one tool of several to address the shift towards destination management."
Mr Lewers said there was a "big discussion" to be had around how to grow New Zealand’s economy, "and I can tell you now I’m making sure Queenstown Lakes, in particular, is in that discussion".
Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sharon Fifield, too, is concerned by increasing the IVL rate from $35 for most international tourists, particularly in light of immigration issues.
"If you’re asking visitors to pay more at the border, and then you’re providing a substandard experience because you can’t get staff easily, then that’s just ridiculous," she said.
"To charge more in the IVL you need to ensure the experience is really good for people who visit."
