Note: This was the policy released for the 2005 election. An updated policy for the 2008 election will be released shortly.
Looking forward
Tourism is already our largest industry, and continues to grow in importance. The innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the tourism industry has often been an example of local economic development at its best. Tourism can make a sustainable contribution to our quality of life and open people's eyes to a range of experiences and cultures.
There is potential to further develop the tourism industry based on our 'clean green' image. This can only last if we make 'clean and green' a reality, not an advertising slogan.
Green policies are designed to support a transition to sustainability in all parts of our economy. Eco-tourism needs support as part of our commitment to ecologically sustainable development. Tourism itself is putting strain on some of our infrastructure and natural areas, and needs to respond to this challenge. Strategies for the tourism industry must also recognise and address the risk to the industry from diminishing finite resources and accelerating climate change.
Talking about the weather and peak oil
Climate change poses direct risks to many of the natural features on which the local industry is based. Domestic and international tourism will be affected by changing weather patterns. Pacific Island destinations are at risk from sea-level rise. Droughts, highly variable snowfall and other climatic variability are going to be part of life from now on. Effective international measures are vital to safeguard our tourist industry. International action on climate change raises another strategic issue. Clearly, long distance air travel will not continue to be as cheap and socially acceptable as the cost of fossil fuels climbs to unaffordable levels. CO2 emissions from jet fuel make a significant contribution to global warming. International measures to combat climate change are highly likely to affect all parts of the world's economy over the next decade. Transport, both international and domestic, will be expected to play its part, and this is likely to require a major change in the tourism strategy if New Zealand is to continue to support sustainable tourism ventures and experiences (see Energy Policy for more detail).
One obvious consequence is that there will need to be more emphasis on domestic tourism, compared to international tourism. International visitor numbers are likely to plateau and possibly fall. Visits may be less frequent but of a longer duration.
Working together
We need an integrated and strategic rethink of our approach to tourism management. Government activity is still focused on getting more people into the country, with little concern for the quality of products and service in the tourism sector. We are spending all our tourism dollars on industry promotion, with virtually no analysis of the effects this is having. We need both a strategic overview and support for small communities and agencies such as DOC and the Historic Places Trust, which have to deal with the visitors when they reach their destination.
Most fundamentally, tourism development needs to be linked to the promotion of New Zealand culture both here and overseas. Tourism needs to be based on pride in our identity and mutual respect between visitors and hosts. The following sections outline the Greens proposals to help tourism flourish:
A strategy for sustainable tourism
Greater strategic communication is needed at the national level in tourism. There is also a need for public and community input into tourism planning. at a strategic level.
The Green Party would:
- Work with the tourism industry, relevant agencies, tourism affected communities and the public, to develop a national strategy for sustainable tourism. This strategy would build on the progress already made through the Foresight process and the work by the Tourism Industry Association. The strategy would develop the initiatives in this policy, as well as promoting tourism in the 'off-season.'
- Fund the gathering of tourism statistics and research into tourism, particularly domestic, as part of our commitment to improving our national accounts.
Promoting tourism at home
Domestic tourism is already a very important industry. There are significant cultural benefits if New Zealanders see their own country before they head off overseas. Encouraging domestic tourism may also help pressure on our balance of payments; New Zealander tourists spend a very large amount of money overseas.
The Green Party would:
- Direct the Tourism Board to spend a proportion of its promotional budget on encouraging domestic tourism.
- Work with industry, community and other stakeholders to develop a promotional campaign to encourage people to 'get out into the great outdoors,' in order to promote good health, domestic tourism and appreciation of nature.
- Support the development of distinct reputations for particular regions, such as Marlborough's wine and food, the West Coast's natural beauty, Northland's beaches, Oamaru's historic buildings, Nelson's arts and culture and Napier's art deco. This part of our commitment to strong communities and local economic development.
A Ministry of Tourism
Tourism is a significant government expenditure item,with over 90% of Government tourism expenditure going to the Tourism Board for tourism marketing.
The tourism industry is highly successful and doesn't need government to tell it how to manage business or market products. What is required is quality policy advice to ensure the tourism industry develops in ways that also further New Zealand's best interests.
The Green Party would:
- Re-establish a separate and adequately funded Ministry of Tourism with a focus on independent and objective policy advice, looking at the broad picture of tourism and its effects. The Ministry would oversee the purchase agreement with the Tourism Board.
Managing the pressure of tourism
The number of overseas visitors to New Zealand have almost doubled in the last ten years. Add domestic tourists on top of this, and there is considerable pressure on the attractions and communities most popular with tourists. Communities and agencies affected by tourists need support.
The Green Party will:
- Ensure that the Department of Conservation receives adequate funding for visitor services through Vote Tourism.
- Work with local authorities to resolve issues with waste disposal, from campervans and yachts for example. This is part of our commitment to a waste free New Zealand.
- Establish a community development fund, providing start up capital for ecologically sustainable small businesses and community enterprises, such as eco-tourism.
- Develop domestic tourism and eco-tourism, which tend to be based in less well known locations. This will spread tourist pressure around the country.
- Dramatically improve border biosecurity.
Eco-tourism
New Zealand has a unique opportunity to capture part of the growing eco-tourism market, as long as we take real action to make our clean green image a reality.
The Green party will:
- Promote the creation of new national parks and other reserves, particularly in the South Island high country (see Conservation Policy).
- Develop new marine reserves to provide opportunities for recreation such as diving inside reserves and fishing outside (see Policy on the Sea).
- Develop public transport to facilitate travel for tourists who often don't have a car.
- Expand the nationwide network of cycleways commencing with a North Cape to the Bluff cycle route to meet the increasing demand from cycle tourists for better facilities.
- Take real action to reduce climate change, in order to prevent the erosion of beaches and natural areas on the coast.
- Restore New Zealand's international reputation as a clean green country through policies such as an Organic Nation, and encourage tourism based around this.
Maintaining high standards
The speed of innovation in New Zealand's tourism industry needs to be supported by quality assurance procedures to ensure high standards of operation.
The Green Party would direct the Ministry of Tourism to work with the industry to develop:
- A code of practice or a brandmark for eco-tourism.
- A brandmark system to authenticate tourism products and services based on cultural heritage. This would be developed in association with tangata whenua to ensure consistency with their intellectual and cultural property rights.
- Workable and effective safety standards and codes, particularly in relation to adventure tourism.
