Operators in the Sustainable Tourism Project in Southland and Fiordland are looking at their business in a whole new light. By looking at their effect on the environment and the community whilst taking into account their staff, their clients, themselves and their financial bottom line they can save money and be a sustainable business in the long run.

The project has come along at a time of heightened awareness about environmental issues globally and visitors are increasingly looking at businesses environmental performances whilst on holiday in New Zealand. In fact the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010 vision is that in 2015 tourism is valued as the leading contributor to a sustainable New Zealand economy.

23 operators are now participating in the project these include:

Borland Lodge (Monowai) Queens Park Motels (Invercargill) Sails Ashore Boutique Accommodation (Stewart Island) Hump Ridge Track (Tuatapere) The Lodge at Tikana (Browns/Winton) Eglinton Experience (Milford Road) Fiordland Wilderness Experience Kayak (Milford and Doubtful Sound) Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers (Te Anau) Real Journeys (Fiordland) Tawaki Dive (Milford) Something Special Gallery (Riverton) Wairaurahiri Jet (Western Southland) Adventure Kayak and Cruise (Te Anau) Fiordland Ecology Holiday (Te Anau) Anchorage Motel (Te Anau) Bella Vista Motel (Invercargill) Milford Sound Lodge Port of Call Boutique Accommodation (Stewart Island) Stewart Island Water Taxi and Eco-Guiding Invercargill Top 10 Holiday Park Scenic Circle Croyden Hotel (Gore) Alpine View Motel Ascot Park Motel Bavarian Motel Fiordland Expeditions Fiordland Explorer Charters Fiordland Lodge Kaka Point Camping Ground Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park Stewart Island Experience Stewart Island Flights

The 23 businesses were selected from throughout Southland representing a wide range of tourism operations. The project encourages these businesses to develop action plans focusing on environmental sustainability, factors looked at include energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, water quality and conservation.

Project Objective

The charter that has been developed by through the initial workshops will:

• provide businesses with a practical framework to better understand their environmental impacts and consequently develop and implement achievable action plans and deliver achievable environmental benefits
  
  
• increase the number of businesses actively incorporating sustainable business practices and achieving measurable environmental benefits
  
  
• increase regional capability in the area of sustainablility
  
  
• contribute to a national response to deliver on the objectives of the NZ Tourism Strategy 2010 and Tourism New Zealand's 100% Pure marketing campaign