CLIMATE RESILIENCE
UNITING BUSINESSES TO DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY
COROMANDEL, NEW ZEALAND
Photo: Hahei Explorer / Hauraki Coromandel
Travelers can be part of positive change by choosing destinations that are leading the way in sustainable tourism. By spending money at eco-conscious businesses, like these in The Coromandel, New Zealand, you drive demand for responsible tourism practices and encourage other destinations to adopt similar programs.
What's
changing
One of the largest challenges a community may have working toward a sustainable future is overcoming fragmentation by uniting efforts behind common goals, collaborating, sharing knowledge and building momentum. Destinations can tackle this challenge by designing a single sustainability program that invites local businesses to participate.
What's already
possible
In Hauraki Coromandel in Aotearoa New Zealand, 62 businesses have taken part in a sustainability program led by Destination Hauraki Coromandel, the Regional Tourism Organisation. The 2022 program provided each business with its carbon footprint measurement, a report card on its sustainability efforts and customized recommended steps to be even more environmentally friendly.
Seizing
the opportunity
To join the sustainability program, a business is asked to donate 50 New Zealand dollars to local community conservation groups, which makes it affordable to businesses of all sizes. The program has three components: completing a checklist of commitments toward carbon-, waste- and predator-free practices; a one-on-one session with Instep, a sustainability consultant; setting goals to be carbon neutral, acquiring zero-landfill certification and supporting the development of voluntourism programs.
Standout
tactic
Coromandel Oyster Company displays its Instep assessment on its website. Tourism businesses in the area who are transparent about their sustainability activities provide progress updates or explanations for choosing to focus on other areas.
How
it helps
Sixty operators have committed to the program and 50 sustainability audits are complete. Participants have good things to say about the program, including how it has given them a baseline understanding about environmental issues facing the region. Some companies have struggled with implementing recommendations for their businesses. In response, Destination Hauraki Coromandel has expanded the program to include a biodiversity initiative in partnership with a local iwi eco-sourcing nursery. They also developed a donation platform where businesses, locals and visitors can “purchase” a tree for local planting projects around the region with 10% of the donation going towards The Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Trust. This platform allows tangible actions for all to support the efforts of Destination Hauraki Coromandel’s vision to protect today to visit a better tomorrow.
Diving
deeper
How can destinations ensure that businesses, locals and visitors voluntarily participating in this kind of program remain committed to accomplishing recommended changes and do not use a program purely for marketing?
Increasing
impact
Businesses could make greater progress if financial incentives were offered for joining certification programs and reaching milestones.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
