I chose to do my research on ecotourism operations in the Auckland region because the region has a unique situation in that there are various ecotourism options available in close proximity to a large urban center. In other parts of the world, you usually have to travel quite a bit to get to the areas that offer nature based activities. In Auckland you only have to travel, at most, 30 minutes to reach nature-based activities. Most people think of mountains and large green spaces when they think of New Zealand, but many of those areas are priced out of reach for most people, even if you’re backpacking. So New Zealand has to figure out how to preserve their natural areas while still allowing people to enjoy them.
Several of the tourism operations I have spoken to provide nature-based activities, but they seem to equate nature-based activities with ecotourism. New Zealand’s current national tourism campaign is “100% Pure”, but as John Key, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, commented in an article last year, “‘It’s got to be taken with a bit of a pinch of salt’” (Stewart).
Dr. Joy, an environmentalist, also remarked how “‘There are almost two worlds in New Zealand. There is the picture-postcard world, and then there is the reality.” Many environmentalists have accused New Zealand of greenwashing and not living up to their own tourism motto.When I first arrived I didn’t get the impression of Auckland as being a “green” city. For a country that relies mostly on the image of a pristine environment, there isn’t anything that lets people know that the country is “green”. As previously mentioned, diesel vehicles are the norm and train travel is, at best, an expensive tourist activity. Following through on their tourism campaign will ensure New Zealand remains competitive in the global tourism market. Making sure to protect and conserve the environment, the very aspect that draws people to the country, will definitely continue the influx of tourism dollars coming for years to come.
I am actually surprised that the government isn’t doing more in this regard. Personally, I wasn’t aware how expensive most of the tourism activities would be. I feel that there could be more options catered to a variety of tourist budgets; especially when there are cheaper options available closer to home that provide similar experiences. For example, I could probably book a trip to Yosemite, which offers hiking, mountains, geysers, and camping, for half of what it costs for a trip to New Zealand. To visit most areas of interest you need to book a tour, which start at around $200NZD for a half day trip. You want people to come enjoy and appreciate what New Zealand has to offer, but they must be competitive with the global market. They have great environmental assets, but they are priced out of reach for most people.Perhaps if some of the cost would go towards environmental improvements it would be understandable. I have also spoken to several Kiwis who comment that they’ve never been to the South Island, which is mostly comprised of natural and rural areas. New Zealand would also benefit from marketing domestic trips, similarly to what the United States does. I came to New Zealand thinking that I could note several aspects of ecotourism that could be applied in the US, but it seems it is the other way around.
Works Cited
Stewart, Matt. “100% Pure Fantasy? Living up to Our Brand.” Stuff. Fairfax New Zealand Limited, 1 Dec. 2012. Web. 03 June 2013 <http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/8023412/100-Pure-Fantasy-Living-up-to-our-brand>.