High impact Queenstown

Queenstown is the destination of choice for around 1.5 million Australian travellers each year, with 100,000 of those coming from Western Australia.

Destination Queenstown recently surveyed more than 2000 Australian residents about their attitudes and planning considerations when travelling, focusing on social, cultural, economic and environmental factors that contribute to regenerative tourism.

Of West Australians surveyed, it found:

+ 93 per cent prefer to look for locally owned and operated accommodation, tourism experiences and products and services.

+ 87 per cent say they’re more interested in learning about the places they visit than taking photos or souvenirs.

+ 87 per cent make a point to learn about local culture and heritage when travelling.

+ 70 per cent are concerned about their carbon footprint and the environmental impact of their travel.

Of Australians surveyed, it also found:

+ 86 per cent would consider choosing accommodation and products or services that benefit the local community.

+ 83 per cent consider avoiding disposable items to reduce waste.

+ 82 per cent would consider slowing down travel to stay longer.

+ 75 per cent would consider public transport or walking/cycling to reduce carbon emissions.

This is all good news for Queenstown, which as part of its new regenerative tourism plan, is aiming to attract high contributing visitors who stay for longer and experience more.

Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods says the research is interesting because Australians and New Zealanders share similar values.

“We know Western Australia is a beautiful part of the world, so when you go to somewhere else, you also want to look after it and protect it,” he says.

Mat says to think of Queenstown as a four-season resort with different activities year-round, not just the winter ski season it has become famous for.

“In autumn there is biking, that’s really low impact, whether that is e-bikes or traditional mountain bikes, hardcore downhill mountain biking, or a peaceful ride out to the wineries.

“Golf is another great option a lot of people come for in spring. And of course, we have incredible walks and hiking here.

“If you think of a lot of the things Queenstown is famous for, bungee jumping for example, that is a really low impact activity that is high adrenaline. So is zip-lining.”

Mat says Luge Queenstown (part go-kart, part toboggan, winding its way through 1600m) and the Queenstown Gondola (spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu, the town and soaring peaks) were also low impact, high excitement activities.

“Then there’s the incredible restaurants. For a small town of 35,000 people, we have 150 restaurants. The dining component of the regenerative tourism plan is really exciting.

“The restaurants have beautiful food but they’re starting to get into micro gardens, growing their own vegetables and herbs, there’s a lot more paddock-to-table going on.

“They’re working really hard on food waste and composting so it can be used to replant native trees.”

LOWER IMPACT

Ahead of Queenstown’s ambitious plan for a 2030 carbon-zero visitor economy, many businesses are already delivering high-impact thrills or quality experiences with a lower impact on the environment.

Zipline business Ziptrek Ecotours was Queenstown’s first carbon zero business.

The Remarkables Market, a produce, food and craft hub, is on its way to zero waste.

Repurposed 1980s motor inn Sherwood has a sustainability focus, uses old military blankets for curtains, and has its own sprawling gardens and horticulturalist.

Slow travel destination The Headwaters Eco Lodge produces all the energy it uses in its own solar garden. It’s the first accommodation globally designed and certified to Living Building Challenge (LBC) standards, the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive sustainability guidelines.

Canyon Brewing’s grain-to-glass initiative is helping to lower the carbon footprint of its beers and close the waste loop.

The Destination Queenstown website showcases some of these businesses in its short film series, From The Ground Up.

“There’s a real reciprocal exchange from travel,” Mat says. “Around three million people come to visit Queenstown, or four million visit across Queenstown Lakes.

“If they learn some new practice that might be good to take home and it’s better for the planet, well, that’s a good thing.”

fact file

Destination Queenstown: queenstownnz.co.nz

From The Ground Up: queenstownnz.co.nz/from-the-ground-up/

Queenstown Lakes Carbon Zero by 2030: youtu.be/nHgnOo0ZhLQ