Kiwis angst about tourism growth as summer influx ramps up

Monday, 17 December 2018

Concerns about freedom camping have dropped in the latest Mood of the Nation survey.

We love their money, but we're not so sure about some of the negative impacts of more overseas visitors.

The annual mood of the national survey of 1080 New Zealanders shows that while most agreed the tourism industry was good for the country, the forecast of 5 million visitors by 2024 has not gone down so well.

The number of Kiwis who feel predicted tourism growth is too high has increased significantly to 47 per cent, up from 30 per cent just three years ago.

The perception that tourists put too much pressure on New Zealand has stabilised at 39 per cent, driven by concerns about lack of infrastructure, damage to the environment, traffic congestion and road safety.

A survey shows Kiwis' views about international visitors are most influenced by the impact the industry has on their daily lives, and media coverage of tourism.

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Increased traffic congestion and the risk of serious road accidents were cited as major negative impacts for South Islanders, particularly those living in Otago and on the West Coast.

Queenstown and Auckland were seen as under more pressure from visitors than other areas.

Otago residents had very mixed feelings about the tourism industry with more than 60 per cent appreciating the business growth and employment opportunities, while a similar proportion cited traffic congestion, risk of serious road accidents, and high accommodation costs as major negatives

Millions of dollars have been poured into improving basic amenities such as roading, toilets and car parking, and for the first time the survey asked respondents whether these efforts were working.

Just over 40 per cent agreed Government and industry were taking actions to address the pressures of tourism growth, but about 20 per cent did not believe that.

However, Tourism New Zealand chief executive Stephen England-Hall said the provincial growth fund and the tourism infrastructure fund were already having an impact by helping manage camping and develop new attractions in the regions, and the new international visitor levy would take time to build and have an effect.

Concerns about freedom camping dropped to 9 per cent, a marked reduction on the 16 per cent recorded in March, and surveyors said this was likely to be a seasonal trend.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts said operators recognised that growth had to be carefully managed and they had a responsibility to balance the needs of visitors, communities and the environment.

The industry's growth goals were being revised to reflect increased emphasis on sustainability and so far more than 700 tourism businesses had signed up to a sustainability commitment.

They were also were actively promoting the Tiaki Promise, a new initiative educating both domestic and international travellers on good visitor behaviour.