queenstown_night_getty3.jpg Queenstown Lakes District Council was one of several local authorities experiencing pressure on their infrastructure as a result of high tourism numbers. Photo: Getty ImagesA new report has backed Queenstown's bed tax bid, but the tourism industry has hit back saying "New Zealand doesn't need new taxes" and that Kiwi travellers will be caught out by the levy. The independent Crown entity was asked by the Government to look at the broader question of whether local authorities' funding and financing arrangements were meeting their cost pressures. New Zealanders would end up paying the most bed taxes, as they accounted for 60% of all commercial bed nights. What we need is to find ways to better share the taxes and charges we already collect.''

Source: Otago Daily Times July 03, 2019 23:14 UTC