EDS supports reset of tourism industry to better protect the environment
Posted on April 28, 2020 Posted By: Audrey Van Ryn
Categories: Latest News
EDS today released its Tourism and Landscape Protection report which is the first case study published as part of its broader Protected Landscapes Project. The report is co-authored by EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart and EDS Solicitor Cordelia Woodhouse.
“Prior to Covid-19, tourism was New Zealand’s number one export earner. Tourists mainly came to see our natural landscapes. But the rapid growth of the industry came at considerable environmental and social cost,” said Raewyn Peart.
“While Covid-19 has been truly devastating for tourism, it provides an opportunity to reset the industry onto a much better footing. Government should partner with the sector to transition New Zealand to a more sustainable and resilient model of tourism.
“Tourism is likely to rebound in three phases. The first will be a big surge in domestic tourism when we get to Alert Level 1 as Kiwis relish the new freedom to do road trips. Domestic tourism last year was worth $23 billion – compared with $17 billion for international visitors. So that’ll be a good boost for the economy.
“The second phase will be development of a trans-Tasman bubble which will see Australian tourists return. Last year Australians made up 40% of all international visitors, by far the biggest segment.
“The third and much slower phase will be the rebuild of the rest of the international market, which may take some years.
