Project Forever Waiheke E-News

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Project Forever Waiheke E-News

2023 has seen some really major challenges thrown at the Waiheke community – floods, serious stormwater problems, continuing ferry mismanagement, and ferry fare increases in particular. The response of the community – neighbours, community groups, the Local Board, and our fantastic social, health and emergency services – has been nothing short of heroic. Those of us who’ve lived on the island for decades know that that response is no accident – it’s built on the Waiheke spirit of connection, support for neighbours and others, and a profound ethos of kaitiakitanga and care for the island itself.

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PFW News Update: February 2022

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PFW News Update: February 2022

“Time to rethink tourism”: UN World Tourism Organisation

As Kiwis see our borders opening again – at last – the Project Forever Waiheke team has been exploring how tourism scholars and planners internationally, and here in NZ, are envisaging the future of tourism.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on global tourism, particularly for developing countries and island nations like Fiji, Cook Islands and Tonga, whose economies depend significantly on international tourists and who cannot pivot to domestic tourism.

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PFW News Update: September 2021

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PFW News Update: September 2021

Planning New Zealand tourism’s next directions: Where to after Delta? Update - Spring 2021

Our government, while currently sticking to its elimination strategy, is now focussing on vaccination as the way forward for recovering everyday freedoms in Aotearoa New Zealand. The freedom to travel and move around – whether for work, education, medical appointments, entertainment or a holiday – is dependent on vaccination rates being as high as possible. Countries already permitting tourism again have turned to ‘vaccination passports’ of various kinds, and they are also being used increasingly to encourage, or require, vaccination rates in work and other domestic settings. A similar concept is being developed here.

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The tourism tidal wave - who does Auckland want?→

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The tourism tidal wave - who does Auckland want?

Too many international visitors fly or cruise into Auckland – then leave straight away for the world-famous destinations to the south like Rotorua and Queenstown. Now, tourism leaders are investigating how we can tell Auckland's story better.

In the long queue for taxis, Susie and Marcus Wright wait patiently with their 14-year-old son, Matthew. The French-English family have just disembarked a cruise liner and are heading straight to the rental car depot, to get the hell out of Dodge.

They'll be gone by lunchtime, halfway to Hobbiton. Auckland has nothing for them. "There's the tower – but we've looked at so many towers, Eiffel tower, CN Tower, Burj Khalifa," says Susie, wearily. "There gets a point you get panoramic view fatigue. Auckland didn't shout anything special; it offers what other cities a similar size offer."

Project Forever Waiheke invites you to read another installment from New Zealand Herald’s Tourism Tidal Wave series.

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Critique of Government's 'sustainable' tourism strategy →

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Critique of Government's 'sustainable' tourism strategy

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis launched the New Zealand Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy on Thursday, which they say delivers "exceptional visitor experiences" while not increasing pressure on the environment. However, environmentalists say it hasn't addressed a major issue.

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New Zealand tourism strategy addresses pressure of increased visitor numbers→

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New Zealand tourism strategy addresses pressure of increased visitor numbers

The Government's new tourism strategy aims to manage visitor growth better and make sure more New Zealanders share the benefits.

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage launched the new strategy at the Trenz tourism trade show in Rotorua on Thursday, promising improved planning and more sustainable funding to tackle the pressure of increased visitor numbers.

Davis said the Government will take a more active role in tourism, so it continued to support national and regional economies, and create jobs.

"We must ensure that we're set up to continue enjoying these benefits, while better managing the challenges that growth can bring."

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From 2.6 to over 10 million international tourists per year: Is Auckland ready to talk overtourism?→

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From 2.6 to over 10 million international tourists per year: Is Auckland ready to talk overtourism?

The New Zealand Herald is investigating potential overtourism in Auckland, as destinations around the globe are reeling with massive numbers of people descending upon cities, beaches, historical sites, natural reserves, etc. Overtourism in Auckland would also affect Waiheke; PFW invites you to read the Herald’s exploration of this topic through its series of articles.

Forget 20/20 vision, Auckland needs to look ahead to 2021. In the first of a four-part series on the future of Auckland's tourism, The New Zealand Herald investigates how the city is working to get its infrastructure ready for APEC and the America's Cup.

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Tourism operators face overtourism dilemma: send customers to busy destinations or recommend alternatives?→

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Tourism operators face overtourism dilemma: send customers to busy destinations or recommend alternatives?

While everyone has heard horror stories of overcrowded destinations, hostile locals, and lining up for hours for a glimpse of a tourist attraction, travel advisors are still faced with requests to visit the world’s most popular places. They have a dilemma: Do they make the booking or risk losing the business by recommending alternatives?

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Tourism, Trade and the WTO: Affirming the importance of enhanced global cooperation on trade & tourism, and encouraging greater participation of the tourism sector in trade policy→

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Tourism, Trade and the WTO: Affirming the importance of enhanced global cooperation on trade & tourism, and encouraging greater participation of the tourism sector in trade policy

As the third-largest sector in international trade, accounting for 10.4% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and supporting 313 million jobs worldwide, the tourism sector is making strong contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

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