Sustainable Tourism in New Zealand.wmv

Summary

New Zealand, known for its pristine environment, pledged in 2007 to become the world's first carbon-neutral nation. The tourism industry, a significant economic driver, is at the forefront of this commitment, with operators like Real Journeys and Dive Tataka leading sustainability efforts. They engage in conservation, use eco-friendly technologies, and collaborate with the Department of Conservation to protect natural resources. The country's unique biodiversity, showcased in places like Poor Knights Islands and Ulva Island, is a key attraction for tourists. New Zealand's strategy includes cap and trade schemes, reforestation, and renewable energy, aiming to inspire visitors and potentially change the world one visitor at a time.

Takeaways

• 🌿 New Zealand is committed to being the world's first carbon neutral and sustainable nation, a pledge made by the government in 2007.
• 💰 The tourism industry is crucial to New Zealand's economy, accounting for 9% of the total GDP and heavily reliant on the country's green image.
• 🏞️ Environmental protection and sustainability are central to New Zealand's tourism strategy and are integrated into the assessment measures of the tourism qualification authority.
• 🐦 Real Journeys, a major tourism operator, hosts over 700,000 tourists annually and actively supports conservation efforts and low-emission operations.
• 🔄 The company invests in modern, low-emission equipment and promotes recycling to ensure environmentally sustainable practices.
• 🐛 Real Journeys and its visitors participate in pest control efforts to help restore New Zealand's natural habitats.
• 🤝 The Department of Conservation (Doc) works closely with tourism operators to maintain a symbiotic relationship between conservation and tourism.
• 🌱 The concept of 'manari Tang' and 'kakatanga' emphasizes the Maori culture's focus on looking after visitors and sharing natural resources sustainably.
• 🌊 Dive Tataka, another operator, offers a high-quality and sustainable diving experience, emphasizing education about the marine environment.
• 🐦 Ulva Island is a bird sanctuary showcasing New Zealand's unique and endangered flora and fauna, attracting tourists seeking a pristine environment.
• 🌍 New Zealand's unique natural environment, due to its geographic isolation and efforts in conservation, is a key draw for tourists.

Q & A

What was New Zealand's bold pledge in 2007 regarding its environment?

In 2007, the New Zealand government made a bold pledge to become the world's first carbon neutral and truly sustainable nation.

How significant is the tourism industry to New Zealand's economy?

Tourism is New Zealand's single largest foreign earner, accounting for 9% of the total gross domestic product.

What is the key marketing strategy of New Zealand's tourism industry?

The key marketing strategy of New Zealand's tourism industry is its green image, which has been part of its marketing for over 100 years.

How does the tourism qualification authority, Qualmark, incorporate sustainability into its assessments?

Qualmark, the tourism qualification authority, incorporates sustainability as one of the key assessment measures in its evaluation of tourism businesses' quality and performance.

What is Real Journeys' approach to environmental responsibility in the Fiordland region?

Real Journeys supports conservation causes, invests in low emission equipment, engages in recycling, and supports organizations working on environmental restoration in the Fiordland region.

How does the Department of Conservation (DOC) work with tourism operators to protect New Zealand's natural resources?

The Department of Conservation works closely with tourism operators to ensure a symbiotic relationship between conservation and tourism, focusing on maintaining healthy natural places for people to enjoy.

What is the primary aim of the Whakatāne community in terms of tourism and employment?

The primary aim of the Whakatāne community is to create employment and revitalize the local economy by using natural resources and cultural connections to attract tourists.

What does the concept of 'manari Tang and kak Tanga' mean in the context of the Whakatāne community?

The concept of 'manari Tang and kak Tanga' refers to the idea of looking after visitors and sharing natural resources with them in a sustainable way for future generations.

How does Dive Tataki contribute to sustainable tourism in the Poor Knights Islands?

Dive Tataki contributes to sustainable tourism by providing educational experiences about the marine environment, promoting the benefits of marine reserves, and operating in a manner that preserves the natural beauty of the Poor Knights Islands.

What is unique about Ulva Island's natural environment and its significance to tourists?

Ulva Island is a bird sanctuary with rare and endangered flora and fauna, offering tourists a pristine environment that reflects New Zealand's natural heritage.

What is the ultimate vision for the New Zealand tourism industry as described in the script?

The ultimate vision for the New Zealand tourism industry is to enrich visitors' experiences in a way that changes their attitudes towards the world, potentially influencing global environmental consciousness one visitor at a time.