Conservation has gains for tourism

Press, 9 May 1985, Page 24

Conservation has gains for tourism

The tourist industry could unite with environmental lobby groups to protect the landscape, said the Minister of Tourism, Mr Moore, in Christchurch. Mr Moore told members of the New Zealand Geographical Society that contrary to recent comments by the Commissioner for the Environment, tourism was not the main consumer of environmental quality. Agriculture had had a marked impact on the environment, he said. Large tracts of land had been transformed with the removal of natural bush, and wetlands and by erosion. Cities and towns had also eaten into the natural landscape. Surveys indicated that nearly 80 per cent of visitors to New Zealand came because of its scenic attractions. “We would be mad to spoil what we have any further,” said Mr Moore. Tourism was a boom development industry and needed to be monitored with the same critical eye as was cast on other developments, said Mr Moore.

As well as designing appropriate and sympathetic architecture, New Zealand should be trying to retain

its native forests, and keep its rivers and lakes pollu-tion-free.

Many overseas visitors, particularly those from heavily industrialised countries, were interested in New Zealand’s environment protection and management systems, said Mr Moore. A classic case of recreational and tourism interests matching environmental interests was the recent decision to legally protect the Kawarau River as a wild and scenic resource, he said. Instead of being developed for hydro-electricity the river was retained in its natural state, although jet boating and rafting were permitted. The latter activities were adventurous, fun and did not exploit the land, he said. Mr Moore also outlined the economic benefits and flow-on effects of the tourist industry. It was the fifth largest industry in terms of overseas exchange earnings, bringing in more than 51 billion a year. According to the latest figures more than 570,000 people visited New Zealand last year. For every 12 visitors one extra job was created within the tourist industry, he said.