Tourism Values And Expectations Must Be Taught And Shared

Labour Tourism spokesperson Kelvin Davis is welcoming news that arrests have been made in Northland and Queenstown for attacks on tourists, but says more bashings could occur if the Government doesn’t resource the tourism industry to educate Kiwi communities and tourists about shared values.

“The Government needs to resource the industry to educate both tourists and our communities in the industry's core values of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga,” says Kelvin Davis.

“Kaitiakitanga means caring for the environment, and both tourists and New Zealanders from the government down can learn how to care for our country.

“Manaakitanga means hospitality. We need to learn how to care for our guests and tourists need to learn not to trample on the mana of Kiwi communities.”

Kelvin Davis says tensions are brewing in at least one Far North community after locals have been abused by tourists, and rubbish and effluent from freedom campers has been dumped on roadsides.

“If this situation continues, then the chances are that we'll hear of more tourist bashings.

“With 65,000 visitors expected at next year's Rugby World Cup, our country cannot afford to have tourists return home saying New Zealanders are an abusive people,” Kelvin Davis said.

“At the same time our country is not a dumping ground for tourist waste and local communities should not have to put up with abuse either.

“The Government provided a $30m budget boost to promote New Zealand in international markets, but there also needs to be an appropriation for educating tourists and Kiwis on each other’s expectations, especially kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga.”

ENDS

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