New Zealand tourism industry looks to engage with ambitious new environment plan

Tourism Industry Aotearoa has advised that the nation’s tourism industry is looking forward to engaging with the draft Tourism Environment Action Plan released for consultation by the New Zealand Government this week.

The draft plan aims to start a conversation about how tourism can transform into a low carbon emissions industry and can support the restoration of our natural bio diversity, which is critical to achieving a regenerative tourism model - one that leaves a community and environment better than it was before.

The draft is part of the Tourism Industry Transformation Plan and has been developed by a Leadership Group that includes tourism industry representatives, government, Māori and unions.

Advising that the group wants to hear from people with a broad range of views, Tourism Environment Leadership Group co-Chair, Laurissa Cooney stated “we very much see this plan as a draft. We are proposing a radical shift in the approach to tourism and the environment in New Zealand, so a robust discussion now is essential before we make our final decisions.

“It’s important we hear from people with different perspectives and interests and from different parts of Aotearoa. How do they see tourism contributing to environmental restoration here and the ripple impact globally? Which of the proposed actions match their priorities and have we missed anything critical?”

The draft plan is supported by a valuable body of existing work, including TIA’s Tourism Sustainability Commitment and the recent launch of The Aotearoa Circle Tourism Adaptation Roadmap.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Chief Executive, Rebecca Ingram added “it’s important the industry feeds into this draft plan, which will help us develop real, practical actions to protect and improve our environment at this critical time.”

The draft Tourism Environment Action Plan is available on MBIE’s website with submissions closing on 19th July.

Click here to view the consultation document

TRENZ 2024 to be held at Tākina Wellington Conference and Exhibition Centre
TIA has also advised that TRENZ, New Zealand’s biggest tourism trade show, will be held at the Tākina Wellington Conference and Exhibition Centre for the first time in 2024..

Advising that the convention will be held from 8th to 10th May 2024, TIA Chief Executive, Rebecca Ingram commented “TRENZ was back with a bang in May and it’s safe to say the event is rapidly evolving and innovating.

TIA's Ingram stated  "as a passionate Wellingtonian, I’m especially excited to be bringing TRENZ to the capital city for the very first time.”

Click here for information on TRENZ in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image: Roadsign near Mt Ruapehu. Credit: Shutterstock.