Conservation at heart of tourism and economy

With record numbers of visitors to Milford Sound this past year, argues that in New Zealand tourism and conservation go hand-in-hand.

‘‘Today I am more convinced than ever before that conservation is the real cornerstone of New Zealand’s tourism industry. Tourism and conservation need each other for mutual survival and the right direction to go is to take more notice of conservation issues, not less.’’ – Les Hutchins, Founder of Real Journeys, 1998

Soon after the pink and white terraces were destroyed in the 1886 Tarawera eruption, causing New Zealand to lose its premier tourist attraction, prison gangs and contractors began the arduous task of cutting a track from Milford Sound through to Te Anau.

Leaders back then, such as former Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mackenzie, had amazing foresight.

Their decision to open up Fiordland in this way has turned Milford Sound into one of the country’s top tourism destinations.

Fiordland National Park is a national treasure; it is one of our wildest and most diverse natural areas. As well as the majestic Mitre Peak, it is home to 700 species of plant found nowhere else, and the last refuge of the takahe and the kakapo. It is a prime example of why the Department of Conservation sits at the heart of New Zealand’s tourism industry.

Fast forward to the first week of January this year – nearly a thousand vehicles travelled through to Milford Sound.

Figures just in from the Milford Development Authority (MDA) reveal that Milford Sound received over half a million visitors in the year to March 31, making it the busiest ever year.

This number shows New Zealand is back to levels experienced before the global financial crisis and reflects a remarkable increase in the number of New Zealanders and international visitors who crave the experience of natural landscapes and interacting with our special wildlife.

Latest figures show that 41 per cent of international tourists come here specifically to see our natural landscapes, and they’re experiencing them through developments that DOC has invested in over the past five years. We need to build on this investment.

DOC spent over $100 million last year maintaining our recreation network of huts, tracks and campgrounds, including over $20 million redeveloping visitor infrastructure.

We have invested $13m in flood protection and tourism infrastructure in Milford Sound and revamped many roadside facilities to enhance the attraction of the site.

Feedback indicates that despite record visitor numbers at Milford this year, overall visitor satisfaction remained high – showing we are on the right track.

We recognise the need to maintain and build on our investments in the Milford visitor experience and are working with the MDA on temporary and long-term solutions to accommodate projected continued growth in visitor numbers. The significance of DOC’s role in the industry is emphasised by Tourism New Zealand’s Visitor Experience Monitor 2014 results published on tourismnewzealand.com. The survey showed that ‘‘New Zealand’s spectacular landscapes and natural scenery are most likely to spark interest in visiting New Zealand’’.

From their list of 15 ‘‘top activities and attractions participated in’’ nine related to New Zealand’s natural heritage.

Even more significantly the four topscoring results were; wildlife in natural habitat 75 per cent, walk, hike, trek or tramp 69 per cent, beach 57 per cent and visit a national park 52 per cent.

Protecting our native species, through projects like Battle for our Birds, and developing conservation through public and private sector partnerships does more than simply protect our biodiversity. In New Zealand conservation and tourism cannot be separated.