| A colorful sky and mountains above a tranquil bay at sundown in New Zealand. gettyimagesbank |
By Jung Min-ho
Tourists to New Zealand will be stung with a new tax this year.
From mid-2019, international visitors will have to pay $NZ25-$35 ($US17-23) to enter into the country.
Australian citizens and permanent residents, New Zealand's top source of tourism revenue, people from Pacific Islands Forum countries and children under two will be exempt.
An increasing number of tourists in recent years has fueled New Zealand's economic growth but has put a strain on infrastructure in tourist areas.
The money from the tax, which the government expects to be up to $NZ80 million in the first year, will be used to improve infrastructure and to protect the environment.