Māori eco-tourism makes Code Green guide
Tourism's effect on the surrounding environment is an increasingly important issue globally and, as New Zealand tourism usually involves the natural landscape in some way, this is a significant issue for Kiwi operators.
Two Māori-owned NZ tourism businesses - Footprints Waipoua, in Northland, and Whale Watch Kaikoura - are among those leading the way in environmental sustainability practices.
These operators, who deliver a quality customer experience while endeavouring to minimise their environmental impact, and have just become the only two New Zealand tourism operators featured in the Lonely Planet publication Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime.
Code Green
Published in 2006, Code Green is a guide to almost 100 responsible travel experiences. All featured experiences are linked by three underlying criteria - minimal impact on the environment, immersion in local culture, and positive economic benefit for the community.
The book focuses on environmentally responsible experiences that allow the visitor the opportunity to make a connection with the local people and the lives they lead.
As Māori tourism operators, this is an integral part of the experience Footprints Waipoua and Whale Watch provide.
"Our tourism product has all the ingredients that Code Green were looking for," said Footprints Waipoua manager Koro Carman.
"Our commitment to the Hokianga community, and our concern for the environment, means that the experience that we offer isn't just a walk in a beautiful forest.
"It is an opportunity for visitors to get involved in conservation issues by participating in responsible tourism, but to also be recognised alongside an operator like Whale Watch Kaikoura, well it is definitely the icing on our cake."
Whale watching
Whale Watch Kaikoura, based on the east coast of the South Island, is dedicated to providing a quality whale watching experience while carefully managing the use of a rare natural resource.
The company also recognises that while out on the water, they are visitors to the realm of the whales and respect this at all times.
As a Māori-owned and operated company, the experience is enriched with stories of the local people, their traditions and their history.
Footprints Waipoua and Whale Watch Kaikoura are just two examples of New Zealand tourism companies providing top quality experiences while taking care of the environment in which they operate. Throughout the rest of the country, many tourism operators are following in their footsteps to ensure an environmentally sustainable tourism industry.
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