New Zealand is considering charging fees to both local and international tourists who visit national parks and other public lands that are home to some of the country’s most iconic natural attractions.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said in Wellington on Friday that the government was seeking feedback on a range of proposals to modernize the way it manages these areas. The consultation covers how to control and maximize commercial access for tourism and other businesses, as well as rules to better protect natural areas.

“We are also consulting on a proposal to introduce access fees to some public conservation areas,” Potaka said. “Access fees are widely used internationally to help sustainably maintain popular sites.”

Many of New Zealand’s iconic destinations, including Milford Sound, Aoraki Mount Cook and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, are within free-access national parks. As visitor numbers increase, the stress on facilities is becoming increasingly expensive for the Department of Conservation and local councils, and there are concerns about the impact on the country’s unique plants and wildlife.

In its consultation document, the ministry pointed out that many countries are charging access fees to control visitor numbers and increase revenue, pointing to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia, Fuji-Hakone-Izu in Japan and Yellowstone in the US. He said he implemented it.

The document outlines options such as charging the same price to all visitors, charging all visitors but allowing locals to pay less, or charging only international visitors. Doesn’t make any recommendations.