Queenstown's bold vision for a carbon zero visitor economy by 2030: “If we can do it, so can you”

Known globally as the birthplace of adventure tourism, Queenstown, New Zealand is tapping into its innovative spirit to lead the charge in regenerative tourism, with an emphasis on sustainability, community wellbeing, and economic resilience.

Mat Woods Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown, shared their ambitious plan to achieve a carbon zero visitor economy by 2030 at the Mountain Towns 2030 Conference, a gathering of hundreds of leaders from mountain towns across the country.?

Queenstown’s plan, branded “Travel to a Thriving Future," was developed during the pandemic years through extensive community engagement, and it’s driven by four key pillars:

1. Environmental: Reducing emissions and restoring ecosystems.
2. Social: Enhancing the quality of life for residents.
3. Cultural: Celebrating and preserving Māori heritage.
4. Economic: Creating a resilient, diversified economy.

This transformative vision centers on regenerative tourism, moving beyond sustainability to improve the environment, community, and visitor experience.

Why Regenerative Tourism?

Woods emphasized that sustainability is no longer enough. “We’ve lost the opportunity to be sustainable,” he said, “and now we have to leapfrog into being regenerative.”

Regenerative tourism in Queenstown is about balancing the needs of the environment, community, and visitors. The district hosts 3 million annual visitors, placing immense pressure on its infrastructure and natural resources. With 33% of jobs tied to tourism, Queenstown must innovate to ensure tourism enhances, rather than harms, the region.

The cornerstone of Queenstown’s regenerative approach is decarbonization. From measuring scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to encouraging innovative solutions like electric jet boats and electric buses, Queenstown is driving systemic change.

Their plan was shaped through extensive dialogue with residents and businesses. Leaders asked residents to share what they love about Queenstown and what they’d like to see for future generations. Over 1,800 pieces of detailed feedback influenced the plan, with decarbonization emerging as the top priority.

Queenstown is also implementing projects that reflect its pioneering ethos, including:

• Electric jet boats: Showcasing innovation in adventure tourism.
• Hot Compost Systems: Transforming food waste from 20 hotels into nutrient-rich compost, demonstrating circular economy principles.
• Wōosh Gondola System: A fully electric gondola network reducing congestion and emissions.

These initiatives highlight the economic advantages of sustainability, making decarbonization appealing to businesses and residents alike.

But Queenstown faces significant challenges, including:

• Visitor Mix: Balancing international and domestic tourism to mitigate environmental impacts.
• Housing Affordability: Managing skyrocketing property prices, with the average home costing NZD $1.7 million.
• Political and Economic Pressures: Navigating a pro-growth national government while advancing regenerative goals.

However, the community's shared commitment and innovative spirit offer reasons for optimism. For example, a local ski operator reduced emissions by 51% in one year, setting a powerful precedent for others.

Wood offered valuable insights for communities aiming to adopt regenerative tourism:

1. Set Ambitious Goals: A clear, bold target like "carbon zero by 2030" rallies stakeholders and accelerates progress.
2. Engage Stakeholders: Community buy-in is critical. Involve residents, businesses, and indigenous groups in decision-making.
3. Highlight Economic Benefits: Frame decarbonization as an economic opportunity, not just an environmental necessity.
4. Foster Collaboration: Work across sectors and geographies to share resources and amplify impact.

Woods challenged the audience to take on hard problems: “Knowing what you know now, where do you have the most influence to create change?”

Queenstown’s journey demonstrates that even small communities can lead transformative global movements. By embracing regenerative tourism, Queenstown is creating a model for how destinations can thrive in harmony with the planet.?

As Woods said: “If we can do it, so can you.”

Full Seminar Bellow: