Tourism-conservation link often puzzles

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 365, 4 December 1990, Page 7

Tourism-conservation link often puzzles

by 1

terry

Slee

Senior Conservation Officer. DoC Turangi Much has been said in the past about the link between conservation and tourism, especiallv in this country.

New Zealand's clean green image is often used when marketing this country as a tourist destination. Its environments are ideal for the enjoyment of active pursuits like rafting, skiing, fishing and hunting and its scenery is ideal for those wishing to relax and sightsee. At times though, the alliance between tourism and conservation seems paradoxical. Tourism can have as significant an impact on the environment as industrial development, but it is often used to justify protecting an area for its natural or

cultural features. Because of the possibility that development may adversely affect the attraction on which a tourism business is based, minimal impact, balance and sensitive development become important goals. It is now becoming clear such goals are not only sought for the sake of the environment, but also for the pleasure of more and more visitors. Recent tourism research has shown growth in the number of tourists seeking sensitive development in natural areas. Research into free independent

tourists (FITS) coming into New Zealand for holidays showed they constituted about 32% (150,000) of all overseas visitor arrivals for 1988. Closer analysis showed 96% of FITS visited a national park. About 75% went tramping and over half stayed overnight in a hut or camped in a national park. Such research emphasized the increasing demand by FITS for backcountry facilities, huts and tracks. Examples of the focus of this demand are the Tongariro Crossing and Mangetepopo and Ketetahi huts. The peak season is broadening from January and February well into the months before and after, and the

average numbers in the huts per night are increasing Anti-tourist Some recent Australian domestic tourism research focused on the slow growth of the inquisitive tourist segment, that is, those who acquire destinations, often travel in coach tours, tick off places on a list and collect records such as photographs of the places visited. On the other hand, the experiential or antitourist segment showed a substantial increase. These people are those who get to know the places they visit by immersing themselves in the local environment and culture, placing high value on authenticity. Features sought by

experiential tourists include small personal stylish hotels, good local food, natural environments, culture

and self improvement through knowledge of places visited and activities undertaken. Research focusing on

the Tongariro Taupo area was carried out by Heylen Research for DOC in 1988. One

Tourism/conservation

From page 7 survey provided data on the recreational use and perceptions of the area by domestic visitors. Key reasons for visits were the natural environment , good facilities and the range and quality for activities. This information fits with the experiential tourist findings from Australia. Tongariro/ Taupo valued Heylen also surveyed tourism intermediates such as rental car and campervan operators, travel agents and coach tour companies. Its comments gave an indication of clients needs. Again TongariroTaupo was valued as natural and undeveloped, compared to other areas being marketed as a natural activity base, an ideal place for the FIT market. Locally there are already some tourist

businesses successfully catering for these visitors - for example, in the hunting, fishing and accommodation fields. The onus is also on DOC to provide quality public facilities - for example toilets, tracks, interpretation and information services which provide quality experiences. From a conservancy advocacy point of view experiential tourism is most appropriate for the area. If the same view is taken by the tourist industry, development issues should not be unmanageable. Environmental awareness is growing within the tourism in dustry. The Tourist Industry Federation (TIF) is currently preparing its own code oi environmental practice for tourist development. One whole day at TIFs 1990 national conTurn page 8

Tourism - conservation

From page 8 fererice in Invercargill was given to environment matters, with sustainable tourist development being the current catch phrase and the key principle to guide all parts of the industry. The main issue associated with an increase in experimental tourism is that there will continue to be heavy pressures on key facilities like Ketetahi Hut and Huka Falls. Means of managing such sites and their use must continually be looked at to avoid any negative effects on the environment and the quality of experience. The park, forests around it, the Kaimanawas and Lake Taupo and its shores. provide a wide range of opportunities. What DOC has to do is manage these in the most efficient way possible, providing quality facilities, interpretation and experiences for visitors to the area. The private sector also has a key role to play. Through concessions it has the chance to provide the some quality of experience.