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30
June, 2004
ACTIVATE
NORTHLAND : MEDIA RELEASES 2004
Making a commitment to sustainable tourism has seen six Northland tourism
businesses receive an official pat on the back from the Ministry for the
Environment.
Fullers Bay of Islands , the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Dive Tutukaka,
Wairere Boulders Naturepark, Dolphin Discoveries and Matakohe Top Ten
Holiday Park received a certificate of recognition today at a special
event in Whangarei .
“We're acknowledging and celebrating the commitment these businesses
have made towards improving their environmental performance. They've looked
ahead and made the link between business success and clean green tourism,”
said Bill Bayfield , Ministry for the Environment Sustainable Industry
Group General Manager.
The businesses are part of a pilot project to build awareness among Northland
tourism operators about the benefits of operating sustainably. In 2003
a key step was taken when a Northland Sustainable Tourism Charter was
developed by a group of tourism, community and local government representatives.
The project is the first time the Ministry has worked in partnership
with the tourism sector. As part of the pilot, the Ministry funded a consultant
to conduct sustainability assessments for the participating businesses.
“Together with Enterprise Northland we've worked with the tourism
operators to look at ways they can become more sustainable.
“Each business now has a plan of 12-15 practical actions that will
deliver environmental benefits and at the same time create efficiency
savings. Actions include using energy smarter, waste minimisation and
recycling initiatives, and investigating the use of green building concepts
into any new developments,” Mr Bayfield said.
Mr Bayfield said in the coming months a part-time sustainability assessor
will be employed, as the result of the Ministry of Tourism providing additional
funding, to help other tourism businesses in Northland improve their environmental
performance.
Carol Maxwell of Enterprise Northland, said the success of the six businesses
and the Ministry of Tourism funding signals an increase in the momentum
behind sustainable tourism in Northland.
“The project is gaining traction. These businesses have road tested
the charter and are leading the way for others by sharing what can be
achieved.”
“We are currently exploring options with the Ministry of Tourism
to share the lessons learnt from the Northland project with other regions,”
said Mr Bayfield.
He added that the participating businesses may also be able to use their
achievements as a springboard to environmental and/or business accreditation
schemes available in New Zealand .
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