Are the days of adventurous, budget-friendly backpacking through picturesque New Zealand over?

The tourism minister has repeatedly announced that New Zealand is looking to attract big-budget, “high quality” tourists instead of low-budget backpackers to increase tourism revenue, and their marketing and advertising will reflect this.

This polarising and controversial statement has sparked outrage amongst travellers and environmentalists alike. The latter believes that high-value tourism will negatively impact the environment and not significantly contribute to the economy.

Read our story: New Zealand to prefer elitist tourism rather than budget travellers

Are you planning to go to New Zealand soon ?