Media Release

Does NZ Stand For Anything Other Than Rugby? - Ecotourism Conference Challenged.

World renowned environmentalist Robert Swan, speaking today at the first day of the Ecotourism NZ Conference in Rotorua, has challenged NZ to stand for more than rugby.

“In my generation, growing up in England, we knew New Zealand for standing up to the US on the nuclear issue. You educated and inspired the whole world. What does New Zealand stand for today aside from rugby? Nothing – and it’s time it did,” he told the first day of the two-day conference.

“You have the ability and opportunity to inspire the world again, this time for renewable energy. You can lead the world in renewable energy. You are 80 percent there, why not go the whole way?"

Ecotourism NZ spokesperson Joe Doherty says ecotourism, more than any other tourism sector, is doing a lot for the environment “but we can always do better”. The conference is a chance to share ideas, explore new opportunities and develop strategies to improve and enhance ecotourism, the fastest growing sector of New Zealand’s tourism industry.

Robert Swan is one of the world’s top polar explorers and environmental leaders. By age 33, he became the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles. His 900 mile journey to the South Pole - ‘In the Footsteps of Scott’, stands as the longest unassisted walk ever made on earth. Swan is currently on a five-year global ‘Voyage for Cleaner Energy’ aboard his renewable energy sailboat. He aims to showcase sustainable living practices and transport alternatives that run solely on renewable energy.

Swan says he supports ecotourism because he believes it is an excellent tool for promoting environmental awareness and educating people about sustainable energy.

"The greatest challenge on earth is the energy challenge. Renewable energy must be on the New Zealand agenda. You have a chance to show serious global leadership on renewable energy, you’re almost there - you just need to make the commitment.”

Swan spends most of his time in India and China because "if you don't get it right there, then we won't get it right anywhere."

“It (renewable energy) will help sell your products and help get people interested in coming here, but more importantly, you will also educate and inspire people. You must do this, and you must start now.”

For more information or for interviews with speakers go to ecotourismnz.com or contact: Ecotourism NZ communications coordinator Mariam El Orfi – 027 637 2054

BACKGROUND ON ECOTOURISM NZ: • Ecotourism is defined as nature-based tourism that is sustainable, involves communities and cares for the environment. • The annual Ecotourism NZ Conference began in 2006. It aims to enhance the ecotourism industry by supporting businesses at the grass roots - providing advice, training and discussion forums on everyday issues facing ecotourism operators. The event also looks at the big questions facing nature-based tourism. • Each year the conference attracts delegates from New Zealand and overseas, including representatives from Tourism New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, environmental experts and leading tourism operators. • This year's event is co-hosted by Greymouth-based Tai Poutini Polytechnic and Waiariki Institute of Technology. Now in its fourth year, it will be the first time the event is held outside the South Island. Ecotourism NZ is a branch of Tai Poutini Polytechnic set up in 2006 to support, grow and enhance the growing sector of nature-based tourism in NZ through a range of training and education initiatives.

Other issues to be discussed at the conference include the Adventure Tourism Review, cycling tourism and setting up tourism operations on farms.

ADVENTURE TOURISM REVIEW The Government's just released Adventure Tourism Review will go under the spotlight at the conference. Tourism operators and industry experts will examine the implications of the review for the industry. Conference delegates will also be challenged to consider safety and quality control issues in their businesses. More specifically, the question Tourism Industry Association sector manager Geoff Ensor will ask is - "How do you manage risks and learn from your mistakes?". Geoff will expand on this when he leads a workshop looking into "your responsibilities as an ecotourism operator". Geoff says the interactive session will be a chance to learn from other operators about safety issues, find out about the implications of the just released Adventure Tourism Review and examine what this may mean for operators.

CYCLING TOURISM Cycle tourism is an untapped market with huge potential according to conference speaker and Mountain Bike NZ president Jeff Carter. Jeff is a director of NZ Trail Solutions, an international company building mountain bike tracks in Portugal, Chile, Mexico, Jamaica and most recently Nelson, NZ. He is a keen advocate of developing cycle trails on private and public land to attract tourists and encourage more people to take up cycling. Jeff will lead a workshop on cycling tourism, looking into its growth and potential here and how operators can capitalise on this trend. Nick Chater - owner of Rotorua's Multi-Day Adventures cycle tour company, Richard Balm - project manager for the NZ Cycle Trail Project, and David Donaldson Working Party Member, Thermal by Bike National Cycleway project will also take part. As part of the workshop, delegates will "go off the beaten track" on a field trip exploring Rotorua’s Redwood Forest by bike. The trip will be led by local guides from Multi-Day Adventures.

TOURISM ON WORKING FARMS Another relevant issue being addressed at the conference will be that of tourism operations on working farms. This offers exciting opportunities for both the ecotourism and rural sector, says farmer and conservationist Dan Steele, the owner of Blue Duck Lodge in Whanganui National Park.

"There needs to be a lot more collaboration between farmers, DOC and the tourism sectors. There are just so many mutual benefits from working together," he says. Dan set up Blue Duck Lodge five years ago after discovering a small population of the rare and endangered blue duck (whio) on his farm nestled on the banks of the Whanganui River.

Blue Duck Station has since grown to 2200 hectares, has three lodges, exports manuka honey and is home to a major conservation project trapping predators and increasing populations of several species of New Zealand native birds.

Farm, history and conservation tours, bush walks, horse trekking and kayaking are just some of the activities on offer to visitors. Dan has set up a trust to preserve the land and history of the Whanganui National Park area through pest control and habitat restoration. In his presentation, Dan will talk about how important and easy it is for businesses to incorporate conservation into their long term sustainability strategy.

He will also share his experience of setting up an ecotourism operation on his farm and discuss his commitment to preserving the area's natural beauty and wildlife.

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