Travel experts believe that now isn't the time to push up the fees for overseas tourists. 

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is rising almost 200% from next month, from $35 to $100. 

The money raised will go back into services and infrastructure used by visitors to the country. 

Intrepid Travel general manager Eve Lawrence told Ryan Bridge New Zealand's tourism recovery is still lagging behind other countries. 

She says we're only sitting at 80% of pre-Covid numbers, while Australia is expected to hit 100% by the end of the year. 

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