Matt Doocey: Tourism Minister defends International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy hike - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Tourism Minister says the extra money from increased overseas visitor fees will be funnelled back into the industry.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy rises next month from $35 to $100 next month.

Matt Doocey says $100 is less than three percent of a visitor's total spend.

"Ultimately, this levy will be reinvested into both tourism pressures - but also, the conservation estates, which a large part of people travel to New Zealand for. So we'll be delivering a better product."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.