Sustainable Tourism Training Programme Success

Tourism Industry Aotearoa and WellingtonNZ recently celebrated the completion of a successful Sustainable Tourism programme which supported 12 Wellington tourism businesses in applying the Tourism Sustainability Commitment within their operations.

All 12 businesses* that completed the programme were recognised by Tourism Minister Stuart Nash at an event at Te Wharewaka-o-Poneke Function Centre on Wednesday 10 November.

WellingtonNZ Chief Executive John Allen says the project was designed with input from local tourism operators and WellingtonNZ-owned Creative HQ.

“It involved collaboration and thought leadership that the city is known for and, importantly, its sustainability underpins the Destination Management process. This will see Destination Plans created for Wellington City and the Wellington region which will both set a regenerative tourism future.”

Mr Allen says WellingtonNZ and TIA will continue to work with the 12 tourism businesses which took part to showcase their journey and what they can offer visitors.

“We all know the world is facing a climate crisis and we are excited that other New Zealand regions and business sectors are interested in the Sustainability Programme as part of the solution.

Ultimately, the programme is designed so tourism businesses can provide stronger community connections in a sustainable, economically prudent manner. It’s fantastic that Wellington is leading the way in this regard."

TIA Strategy and Policy Manager Bruce Bassett says: "All 12 businesses in the pilot achieved some impressive actions in the three-month programme. Nine of the 12 businesses are already measuring their carbon footprint with the other three planning to do so shortly."

Other actions include supply chain management, reducing waste, becoming Living Wage accredited and developing partnerships.

"This pilot has generated many insights on how to get tourism businesses operating sustainably, and we will certainly be exploring how we can take these learnings wider so we can accelerate our progress to sustainability."

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says that every operator has a part to play in creating a tourism industry that is sustainable across Economic, Visitor, Community and Environment outcomes.

“With more than 1600 operators around the country having signed up to TIA’s Tourism Sustainability Commitment, we know that there is a strong desire to rebuild an improved tourism industry that delivers benefits for New Zealanders and Aotearoa. This programme has shown what can be achieved by offering support to individual businesses and is a great example of what we can do in other regions,” Mr Roberts says.

Businesses on the pilot programme: