PFW News: September 2020

Tourism: where to from here?

During our 100-odd Covid-free days, local businesses benefitted from the many New Zealanders (and trapped tourists) who visited the island. The school holidays were especially busy, and there was a general feeling that domestic tourism would keep Waiheke’s economy in a relatively healthy state until the border restrictions were lifted. We also had high hopes of a trans-Tasman bubble and travel to some Pacific islands in the near future.

Our government has been acutely aware of the damage to the national economy and implemented a number of measures, including a major funding package, to help mitigate losses of tourism income in Queenstown and Rotorua, for example. Kiwis have tried hard to spend locally, but the impacts of losing overseas tourists are far-reaching, and the re-emergence of Covid-19 in some Auckland communities has reminded us that our freedom to travel, even in our own part of the world, is still a long way off. In the meantime, it becomes more and more obvious that tourism, here and globally, needs a radical re-think, and there’s been plenty of comment on this in the mainstream and social media.

“The pandemic has not only highlighted the magnitude and scope of tourism’s global economic importance. It has underscored the manner in which the interconnected global architecture of tourism and associated flows of mobility act as a vector for the transmission of such pathogens, nowhere more so than on densely-crowded cruise ships that act as floating petri-dishes of incubation…. Many people are optimistic that the abrupt collapse of tourism will enable destinations to take stock and to challenge the current growth trajectory of tourism and align it with the social and ecological limits.”- Travindy.com

Two of the biggest problems with global tourism have been its intensive carbon footprint and overtourism. In the space of eight months, Covid-19 has quashed both of these, prompting much discussion about ‘building back better’.  Already “camper van conversion companies around the world are experiencing a surge in interest, indicating a turning tide away from air travel. Whether we like it or not, tourism has become more conscious, catalysing the slow-travel movement that was beginning to ferment long before the pandemic hit.” – Travindy.com

Even when Covid-19 is under control, which may be years away, the resulting recession will see tourists travelling less, staying near home and looking for value-based holidays where they can enjoy the great outdoors, experience different cultures, meet locals, and get away from the madding crowds. - Newsroom.co.nz

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Stephen England-Hall is heading a project to ''re-imagine'' the visitor industry here and his organisation will re-direct a big chunk of its $111 million annual budget to market to a domestic audience. - New Zealand Herald

But we need to think about the environmental and community impact of untrammelled domestic tourism as much as the economic benefits. Merely getting ‘bums on seats’ cannot be the end goal if we are to develop a truly sustainable tourist industry. Perhaps, like Hawaii, New Zealand tourist destinations (including Waiheke) might consider limiting visitor numbers and redirecting marketing towards smaller groups of higher-paying tourists seeking cultural and natural experiences.

With the ongoing efforts of many Waihekeans to nurture and preserve our forests, wetlands, oceans and wildlife, our impending dark skies status, our thriving arts and crafts, our celebrated local wine and food, and our diverse multi-cultural community, the island is in a very good position to offer just these kinds of experiences.