Sustainability

There is a tension in tourism between the economic benefits travellers bring and their environmental impacts but there are ways the public and private sectors can work together to create positive change, according to Visa’s global head of merchant sales and acquiring, Jennifer Munday.

The global operator says its community focus enables a “huge” opportunity in destinations like New Zealand.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s emissions totalled 5324 tCO₂e in its year to 30 June 2023.

‘Carbon passports’ that limit the amount of travel could be seen as an extreme measure but the world is already on the verge of change, writes the University of Westminster’s Ross Bennett-Cook.

QAC says it has cut emissions by almost two-thirds compared to 2019 but it does not yet measure the impacts of airlines flying to the airport.

The airport first sponsored the event to help the event become zero-waste, and also funded the DISHrupt reusable cutlery and dishes initiative this year.

The Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust has awarded $160,000 in grants to four groups, including YoungTEC and the Tourism Teachers Association.

Island Aviation is introducing reusable cups on its flights between Auckland’s North Shore and destinations around the Hauraki Gulf including Great Barrier Island.

Growing demands for sustainability disclosures present challenges for tourism, write Christopher Imbsen from the World Travel & Tourism Council and Dan Darcy from management consultancy Oliver Wyman.

Making inroads toward sustainable tourism is possible but will require enormous global effort to make it happen at scale.

As tourism seeks to become more regenerative, it is equally crucial visitors follow suit.

Where there are issues, it is not often tourism itself but the management of it that needs to be addressed.

The Airports Council International Asia-Pacific has awarded Christchurch Airport the Green Airports Recognition 2023 and the Airport Carbon Accreditation – Mentor.

Queenstown Airport Corporation has converted its $100m bank lending facilities to sustainability-linked loans.

Ecotourism is one of five main opportunities for New Zealand as it attempts to build a greener economy, according to a report from Boston Consulting Group.

The Ticker asks TIA whether operators should be more accountable to its Tourism Sustainability Commitment.

Tourism and hospitality businesses from Waiheke Island and Aotea Great Barrier Island have celebrated completing the Taurikura Initiative.

Operators’ better use of food resources and cutting waste have been recognised as holiday parks aim for greener outcomes.

NZ businesses want to do the right thing but face barriers to supporting nature.

The first cohort of tourism businesses to complete the Auckland sustainability programme Taurikura Initiative will be recognised at an event next week.

Sustainable air passenger journeys and autonomous aerial vehicle integration are two of the key goals in New Zealand’s first Aerospace Strategy.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is seeking input from businesses in the tourism sector about how they view environmental sustainability.

Wellington Airport has published its Kaitiakitanga report on how it plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and absolute zero by 2050.

“I think we’ve got an incredible opportunity to showcase to the world, what we can do here,” says Ziptrek Ecotours’ executive director.

Japan Airlines is launching a new clothing rental service called Any Wear, Anywhere, which it claims can help reduce aircraft emissions, writes EcoWatch’s Cristen Hemingway Jaynes for the World Economic Forum.

The operator is preparing to introduce a new sustainability-focused brand, which will adhere to strict green credentials.

The 15th annual Climate Change and Business Conference is returning to the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland this year.

The 21st year of the annual awards will recognise business, local government, social enterprise and individuals for their sustainability achievements.

Mackenzie Tourism and Tourism Industry Aotearoa are holding a tourism sustainability workshop for businesses in Timaru this month.

The Sustainable Business Council and Climate Leaders Coalition want to see New Zealand’s political parties commit to decarbonising aviation for the benefit of New Zealand, its economy and exports.

Booking.com says rising living costs and climate anxiety are driving demand for more budget and planet-friendly options.

Wellington International Airport Limited is banking on a $100m sustainability-linked facility to help it achieve its decarbonisation goals.

Sustainable Tarras plans to protest what it calls ‘greenwashing’ by the aviation industry at Parliament today.

Tourism Bay of Plenty has kicked off the first The Green Room sustainability programme for the year in Ōhope, with 18 organisations taking part.

The Sustainable Business Network is leading the charge in helping companies assess the sustainability of their businesses with the launch of a free online toolbox.

Consumers are highlighting the value they place on protecting nature and travelling responsibly, says the WTTC.

Why both NZ’s tourism infrastructure and the sector’s governance need updating.

Carbon offsetting and the production of a lot more sustainable aviation fuel will be critical to achieving the industry’s goal.

Operators must be more ambitious, collaborate to create greener packages, and bring employees in on the mission to help build a better sector.

Carbon-neutral room rates will allow guests to offset their stay through a programme delivered by CarbonClick.

While sustainable travel is the next step in the evolution of tourism, the way consumers talk about it and what they actually do about can be very different.

Cruise lines are preparing for an industry-wide switch to shoreside electricity as part of a commitment by Cruise Lines International Association ocean-going members to pursue net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The programme took participants through their environmental, cultural, social, and economic sustainability journeys.

The airline unveils its Mission Next Generation Aircraft accelerator programme, which it says will help it achieve its green goals.

The airline’s emissions are rising again following two years of consecutive drops due to the pandemic’s impacts on aviation.

Wellington Airport has been ranked third in the world for sustainability in the 2022 GRESB Infrastructure Asset Benchmark Report.

Christchurch and Hamburg Airports have embarked on a joint partnership to develop infrastructure for the use of green hydrogen in aviation for both ground vehicles and aircraft propulsion systems.

Lake Whakatipu’s TSS Earnslaw is turning 110-years-old and may soon have a new lease on life through a decarbonisation project.

The facility will help the operator reduce emissions and improve sustainability across its hotels.

Monitoring sustainability and visitor empowerment are among the World Economic Forum’s new recommendations on tourism development.