Social media attention harms NZ’s ‘secret’ beauty spots
DONUT Island, Whangamata. A 40-foot high cut in the rock face at the Coromandel beauty spot reveals a lagoon nestled in a hollowed out island. Yesterday kayakers paddled through in wonder. So did a thrumming jetski, filling the serene location with two-stroke fumes. Groups lounged on the shore, a prohibited activity, before stomping around looking for the best selfie spot.
When a scenic hotspot goes viral on social media, it can bring tourists, jobs and money. It can also bring crowds, litter and crime. Unprecedented tourist demand at our so-called secret hotspots from Instagram posts has prompted the Department of Conservation to try to stay a step ahead of the crowds.
Conservation watchdogs are turning to the source as an antidote, monitoring social media to spot spikes in interest in a particular location, so they can divert ranger resources.
‘‘One of the biggest challenges park managers face worldwide is the power of social media to create new visitor destinations at short notice,’’ DOC director of recreation, tourism and heritage Gavin Walker said. ‘‘If they do see a trend, they’ll alert people to it. We can put them in place. That’s the big difference.’’
Whangamata residents fear visitors will miss out on the unique attraction of Donut Island if the island is closed off to protect it from growing numbers of visitors. ‘‘I’m sure it will happen if people do not respect the environment,’’ Paddle and Pedal owner Chris Coombe said yesterday. ‘‘We have little issue with overseas tourists who have more respect for the environment – it is a local issue.’’
And throngs are expected to continue flocking to coastal