Tourism Kangaroo Island and the Kangaroo Island Development Board have asked anyone affected by the price rises to voice their concern by letter to the Minister for Tourism Jane Lomax-Smith.

Tourism KI regional manager Tania O’Neil said it had become clear in discussions with the Department for Environment and Heritage that the department did not believe the 100 per cent rises would have an impact on the island economy or tourism operators.

The price rises, implemented on April 1 without notice to the public, included an increase from $37.50 to $75 for a family ticket.

“This took everyone, including the TKI Board, by surprise. The decision was made… without any communication or consultation with the industry,” Ms O’Neil says in an email to operators.

“While island agencies have voiced their disapproval on behalf of operators, it has become apparent that they need to hear firsthand from you,” she says.

TourismKI has drafted a proposed letter it has asked operators to modify if they wish and send on to the minister.

The letter asks the minister to review the price rise at “arguably Kangaroo Island’s premier tourist attraction” in consultation with the tourism industry and labels the price rises “inexplicable”.

It says a family visiting the island “may still choose to go on the guided tour, but at a cost to other tourism businesses on the island”.

“We are at risk of having these visitors not stay as long, not eat out as much, not visit as many attractions, not purchase souvenirs – or worse – go home and tell their friends that Kangaroo Island is an expensive place to visit,” the letter says.

KIDB business adviser Jason Mattock says the cost of getting to the island can already be prohibitive “but the most recent price rises could make it less attractive for people to visit”.

He said the board had received a number of calls about the issue and was seeking a review of the price rises.

“We really do encourage you to take the time to voice your concern,” Ms O’Neil said.

The Islander first reported concern about the price rises on April 23, when the Department for Environemnt and Heritage said it had surveyed tourism operators.

“The new prices reflect the current value of the experiences provided at Seal Bay and are comparable with other wildlife tourism experiences in Australia,” the DEH regional conservator Bill Haddrill said at the time.