Queenstown accommodation providers fear outcome of bed tax vote

Queenstown accommodation providers are fearful of the outcome of the referendum currently underway on a bed tax for tourists. Voting forms are pouring in as rate payers in the Queenstown Lakes District decide whether to support or oppose a 5% visitor levy. This would would raise $22.5million a year to ease the burden of infrastructure on ratepayers.

Nick Kiddle represents 130 accommodation businesses in the district - from large hotels to small family B&Bs. He says applying a new tax to just one sub-sector of the tourism economy is unfair, will cause market disruption and render some businesses unviable.