World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) is to be organized from 1-3 October 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Under the theme “Embracing Innovation and Technology for Safe and Efficient Operations” this year’s WSOC event is being hosted by Royal Air Maroc, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Meanwhile, the IATA that represents some 330 airlines comprising more than 80% of global air traffic expressed disappointment with the New Zealand Government’s decision to increase the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
The recovery of the New Zealand aviation market currently lags behind major markets such as Australia, Canada, France, Spain, the UK, and the US, informed IATA adding, “These markets have either recovered to pre-pandemic passenger levels or will achieve full recovery in 2024.”
Effective from 1 October 2024, New Zealand has increased the tourist tax fee from NZ $35 to NZ $100.
It is said that the cost imposed on tourists by the NZ government is very high compared to visiting other countries in European or Pacific nations to Northern American countries.
The New Zealand government has said that the fee was hiked to help protect its natural environment and boost public services but in actuality its aim was to discourage backpackers tourists, encouraging only those higher-spending tourists.
A country of only five million people, New Zealand was visited by 2.96 million in 2023 compared to 1.52 million in 2022.
