The NZS.com Ecotourism article contains information about ecotourism trend and initiatives around the world and in New Zealand.
New Zealand's Tourism Industry Goes Green
Ecotourism is gathering speed in New Zealand, with sustainable technologies and practices making holidays more environmentally friendly.
From Auckland bars and luxury hotels to holiday resorts in the remotest global locations, ecotourism is taking the world by storm.
Travelling and vacations may traditionally be the time people let their hair down and leave all their worries behind, but a new breed of traveller is swapping holiday hedonism for a conservation-friendly conscience.
And with the demand for more environmentally friendly holidays, the tourism industry is finding new ways to reduce the carbon footprint of intrepid travellers and include eco-friendly features into tourism destinations and attractions.
What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism is by no means a new idea, having come into vogue in the 1990s. Back then ecotourism was all about taking tourists to view and visit the unspoiled natural beauty of isolated ecosystems. However, as environmental awareness grew, so did concerns that, if not done responsibly, these excursions could prove harmful to the environment.
While ecotourism has evolved over the last decade to foster a better consciousness of environmental protection, travel and tourism operators and travellers alike have discovered there's more than one way to ‘go green’ while on holiday.
In fact, a large part of modern ecotourism is now focused on minimising a regular vacation's impact on the environment. Not only is this raising environmental awareness by integrating sustainable initiatives into the features of holiday hotels, attractions, and fine dining establishments, but it also means everyone has the ability to be more environmentally aware when they holiday.
Though some tourism operators do run holiday excursions to exotic or threatened ecosystems to observe wildlife or to help preserve nature, more and more are now focusing on utilising an area's natural, sustainable resources in an attempt to minimise the ecological impact of tourism.
Ecotourism in New Zealand
In New Zealand, this environmental awareness has married well with the New Zealand tourism industry’s love of the clean, green Kiwi image. Auckland restaurants and dining establishments around the country are sourcing their produce locally and installing energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, and accommodation and attraction owners nationwide are incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly practices and features into their business.
While more traditional environmental attractions such as natural wildlife and bird sanctuaries are still very popular in New Zealand, more urban destinations are also making every attempt to go green.
Many modern and luxury hotels are asking visitors to help them cut down on water use by washing towels and sheets less often, and technological advancements mean some accommodation complexes overseas are even installing systems that will automatically shut off power supplies when a guest leaves their room.
The Sky Tower leads the way
Here in New Zealand, SKYCITY Auckland has installed a Swift micro wind turbine on top of the Sky Tower as part of a ecotourism and sustainability trial undertaken with Vector to test the latest technology in urban micro-wind generation.
The aim was to install a safe renewable energy resource in a difficult environment and to achieve considerably more power from the unit than average. Mounted 5.5 metres above the roof of the Sky Deck and 225 metres above the street, the wind turbine is expected to produce energy 92 percent of the time, as wind is stronger at height.
The trial explores the part micro-wind turbines can play in the changing energy environment, particularly in the area of renewable distributed power generation.
SKYCITY are participating to help increase the acceptance and adoption of ecotourism and sustainable technology. While Vector is fully funding the project, SKYCITY is purchasing the electricity generated to power lighting circuitry that lights the outside of Sky Tower’s pod, aviation lights, public areas and stairways.
Every year 37,000,000 units of electricity are used to provide lighting and power to the entire SKYCITY Auckland site. As one of the largest entertainment complexes in the Southern Hemisphere, SKYCITY has proven themselves dedicated to reducing the impact its activities has on the environment.
Going green becomes official
Qualmark is New Zealand tourism's official stamp of quality and professionalism, and now carries the extra weight of judging for environmentally and socially committed tourism operators.
Both SKYCITY Hotel and SKYCITY Grand Hotel retained their quality 4 ½ star and 5 star Qualmark ratings respectively in 2009. SKYCITY Grand Hotel was also awarded Qualmark’s Enviro-Silver rating in June 2009, an environment award in recognition of the SKYCITY Grand Hotel’s movement towards environmental sustainability and their promotion of responsible eco-tourism in New Zealand.
SKYCITY also aims to protect the environment through its environment strategies and policies, with a focus on creating an effective 'green' working environment across all SKYCITY restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
These ecotourism measures may well be inspiring travellers to be more environmentally friendly through their own initiatives, and those in the travel business believe going green is not only catching on, but is here to stay.
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Travel images from Flickr: New Zealand Lake, geoftheref.
