Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism and QLDC are inviting the community and tourism industry to take part in a series of events which they say will help shape a roadmap for regenerative tourism by 2030.

The three organisations teamed up earlier this year to undertake the six month project and the upcoming August community sessions will build on the insights from a series of events in July.

Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) general manager Tim Barke said the pause caused by Covid-19 has provided a chance to stop and think about how the industry can rebuild better.

See also: New model of tourism under development

“Regional tourism organisations across New Zealand have received government funding to do this work now, because it’s important that our country can evolve its visitor offering to suit a changed world,” he said. “It will also enable us to be more sustainable and resilient in the future.”

The ‘regenerative tourism by 2030’ project is exploring how the visitor economy can add value to the district and its community and also deliver financial benefits and a thriving economy.

The upcoming community sessions will take place across the district between August 2 and 5, with the Wanaka session on August 2.

Tim said the session would draw on the July events, which attracted more than 200 people.

Some of the ideas that came up were providing visitors with on-the-ground regenerative experiences; encouraging a greater focus on slow tourism; and improving public transport to suit both visitors and locals.

More than 40 one-on-one in-depth stakeholder interviews are also being conducted in the next two months and further large-scale community events in Queenstown and Wanaka are planned for September as well as a district-wide online survey.  

“This is an opportunity for tourism to play its part in the district’s long-term recovery and future environmental, social, cultural, and economic wellbeing,” Tim said.

“With a large number of businesses and workers involved directly in tourism and more businesses providing support services, our sector can play a key role in effecting change, forming a shared sense of purpose that moves beyond sustainability achievements to regenerative principles and practices.” 

The August community session will take place on August 2 from 5pm-7pm at the new Cardrona/Treble Cone space at 50 Cardrona Valley Road .

For more information about the project and details about opportunities to get involved in the process, click here.

PHOTO: Wanaka App