Fresh water vital to New Zealand’s green tourism brand

Clean fresh water is vital to the growth and sustainability of New Zealand’s $30 billion tourism industry, according to the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand.

In its submission to the Ministry for the Environment’s ‘Next Steps for Freshwater’ consultation document, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ) says that healthy fresh water ecosystems are fundamental to supporting the natural landscapes that are the primary reason visitors travel to New Zealand and are are also integral to many tourism activities such as rafting, jetboating, swimming and fishing.

TIANZ cits research that shows that 20% of international visitors enjoy rafting, kayaking, canoeing, jetboating or fresh water fishing while they are in New Zealand. These visitors are high value, staying an average 29 days and spending $4722, well above the norm.

TIANZ is calling on the government to recognise that fresh water is essential to the visitor economy, and reflect this in the priority it gives to fresh water protection and improvement.

Commenting on the Association’s response, TIANZ Chief Executive Chris Roberts states “in a highly modified, resource-constrained world, New Zealand has a unique opportunity to show environmental leadership and integrity.

“Such a move would secure a high value competitive advantage for tourism and many other New Zealand industries, as well as ensuring we can pass on a healthy environment to the New Zealanders and visitors of the future.”

TIANZ also advised that as a long-standing member of the Land and Water Forum, that it was disappointed that only some of the Forum’s recommendations have been picked up.

Roberts added “the Forum’s recommendations under a national fresh water management approach should be implemented with urgency.

“The biggest flaw with the fresh water consultation document is what it doesn’t say. There’s little point in identifying a desire for improved outcomes when it’s not backed up by a coherent, integrated and efficient water management system.”

Roberts believes that a healthy environment will underpin the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 goal of growing its total annual revenue to $41 billion, concluding “fresh water is an essential platform for the growth and sustainability of the tourism economy.

“New Zealand can achieve great things by consciously giving primacy to the preservation and enhancement of our natural resources.”

The Tourism Export Council (TEC) has backed TIANZ’s response, with TEC Chief Executive, Lesley Immink saying that it sends a strong message to Government that New Zealanders and the tourism industry are committed to leaving clean, safe freshwater for the next generation.

Immink stated “a significant motivation for visitors choosing destination New Zealand is our clean, green image and we want to ensure this reputation lasts for generations to come.

“We believe water quality to be the single greatest challenge to maintaining New Zealand’s environmental promise.”

To read TIANZ’s submission go to www.tianz.org.nz/main/policy-issues 

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