Tourists might think twice about visiting the Northern Territory after the Fyles Government mandated that they must buy a new online “Parks Pass” to visit parks, waterholes, and other natural attractions starting April next year, amid high inflation and increased cost of living, critics say.

While Territorians will be exempted from the new pay-to-visit scheme, as of April 3, tourists will have to pay at least $25 to enjoy 50 to 85 NT Government-managed parks and reserves throughout the jurisdiction.

Popular tourist attractions included under the new scheme include Nitmiluk National Park, the Devil’s Marbles Conservation Reserve, the Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve and the famed hot springs at Elsey National Park, Mataranka, among others.

The Parks Pass will offer day passes, two-week passes, and an open pass with different prices for persons and families.

Katherine region tourism operator Manuel Pamkal told the ABC he was concerned introducing park fees would stop some from coming.

“It’s not fair… when families come it costs them lots of money. We all know that fuel prices have gone up, food, and they are already paying money for camping… I think swimming should be free,” he said.

The Opposition CLP said money was needed to upgrade the Territory’s parks and that’s where they want to see the fees collected being spent.

“I wouldn’t want to see that money going into general revenue and spent in the northern suburbs,” said Deputy CLP leader Gerard Maley.

“Those parks are great locations and tourism is a major factor [for] business in the Territory and the more we can make those parks better and more presentable, I’m happy to support that, but the government needs to make sure the money is spent [on upgrading the parks].”

Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford echoed the CLP’s comments, suggesting the fees could be a positive if handled correctly.

“No one likes to see an increase in charges,” he said, adding however that the new scheme may have a positive impact on pulling in tourists to the Territory if the revenues are spent improving the parks.

He said that the government could earn $7 million a year from the Park Pass scheme when combined with the hiking and camping fees. “That is a significant investment fund for national parks.”

The government said the fees would be implemented with time for industry to adjust and would be a “small cost” for lands, parks and other facilities “to be cared for”.