|
|
|
 |
|
|
||||||
 |
Conservation & EnvironmentNew Zealand has 14 national parks and more than five million hectares - a third of New Zealand - protected in parks and reserves. More than half New Zealand's international tourists visit conservation lands during their time here, whether to have a picnic, drive to Milford Sound, take a short walk, or go tramping. Domestic visitors also often travel to visit the conservation estate.
Many tourism operators run businesses to take visitors on outdoor experiences in conservation areas, such as guided walks, river rafting or bird watching. This activity has impacts on the environment and for the management of New Zealand's conservation estate. New Zealand's clean, green environment is a major attraction for international visitors. The New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010 recognises this. One of the key objectives of the Strategy is to actively protect, support and promote our natural environment to ensure that tourism growth is sustainable.
The Ministry of Tourism works closely with the Ministry for the Environment in a number of work areas. Currently we are involved in the development of a NZ Oceans Policy, the Governments Sustainable Programme of Action (particularly in relation to the identification of waters of national importance), tourism charters, and climate changes policies in relation to the Kyoto Protocol. We also work closely with the Department of Conservation and there are several projects that we are currently working in partnership on including: aligning destination marketing and management, the concessions review, Milford Sound, quality standards for concessionaires, and aligning research and data collection. The Ministry co-operates with the Tourism Industry Association and the Ministry for the Environment on a programme to encourage tourism operators to develop environmental management systems and certify their operations. We also work with the NZ Tourism Industry Association, Tourism New Zealand, Regional Tourism Organisations, tourism operators, local government and other stakeholders to ensure that the benefits and impacts of tourism on the environment are properly managed and monitored. The Ministry of Tourism attended the 2004 'Green Globe 21' conference, and gave a presentation on the Ministry's involvement in this area, including findings from environment-related research. See the Green Globe Conference Presentation for more information. We also attended the 2004 NZ Planning Institute Conference held in Invercargill where we presented at the two tourism workshops. Focus was placed on the work we are currently doing with local government and the future infrastructure requirements for predicted visitor growth.
Related Documents & websites:
See Also:
For enquiries, contact: |
|
||||||
|
|
