Rethinking Tourism: Leading-edge strategies for Queenstown and Lake Wānaka
Griffith Institute for Tourism
World-leading tourism research. Australia's Number 1 Tourism Research University - Griffith University.
At Griffith Institute for Tourism, our researchers and PhD students are committed to world-class research. This is exemplified by an ambitious, current consultancy project, led by Professor Susanne Becken and Professor James Higham.
Funded by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, and delivered in partnership with the district’s regional tourism organisations Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, this 12-month research project aims to develop innovative tools and models to enhance destination management.
The project is an output of the Queenstown Lakes’ region’s Destination Management Plan, “Travel to a Thriving Future,” which is in turn an output of the region’s Spatial Plan.
The pandemic offered a unique chance for regions worldwide to rethink tourism’s purpose and practices. Both Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, are committed to managing tourism in alignment with the core principles of Regenerative Tourism as they work towards their 2030 goals.
As growth pressures impact local economies and lifestyles, this project explores new ways to navigate these challenges.
Queenstown’s spirit of innovation is captured in its regenerative tourism video: “A town of people that are not afraid to try new things and push boundaries.”
As the regenerative tourism video explains, in the words of local tourism businesses and residents, “Our hope for the future of Queenstown, is that collectively our people, both visitors and locals alike, are steadfast kaitiaki, guardians of our environment”.
In this diverse region of New Zealand’s South Island, like many corners of the globe, continual growth is placing demands on all elements of the economy, nature and local lifestyle.
This project’s modelling will enable future council planning to consider those pressures, the benefits and costs and to look for new and innovative ways to improve the way tourism growth is managed.
Modelling tools developed during the course of this consultancy work, which will include carbon emissions analysis as one important element of the project, will be designed to help local councils, planning agencies and local communities to implement aspirational regenerative goals while considering the realities of current challenges, and the opportunity to do things differently.
Various studies on visitor and tourism optimisation have taken place across the globe, particularly in Europe, however it is hoped this project will create planning tools that will be world leading, led by Griffith Institute for Tourism Researchers and Climate Change Action Leaders, in Susanne and James.
Queenstown and Wānaka present contrasts in local lifestyles and visitor experience, despite Wānaka being just over an hour’s drive from the international destination of Queenstown. This adds an additional layer to the research complexity. ?
“If we understand some of the key challenges of tourism, for example its resource intensity, and if we are also able to investigate potential solutions, then we can make recommendations to improve industry practice, or to enhance tourism policy making.” – Professor Becken.
It is the complex nature of Sustainable Tourism, that drew Professor Sussane Becken to this field. With a background in Ecology, studying the relationships between various living organisms and their surrounding environments, before moving into tourism and completing a PhD with a thesis on energy use in tourism.
This project is one of many for Professor Becken, a leader in Sustainable Tourism and previous Principal Science Investment Advisor with New Zealand's Department of Conservation.?
“We believe that better knowledge ultimately leads to better decisions.” - Professor Becken.
This consultancy project builds on extensive community engagement undertaken over the past three years to develop the Destination Management Plan, which was created in partnership between Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism and Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Professor James Higham feels right at home in Queenstown and Wānaka. Originally from New Zealand and a proud South Islander, James is now based in Brisbane at the Griffith University Nathan Campus. With a background in Geography, James’ passion for tourism was sparked during a familiar rite of passage for many Kiwis – a European overseas adventure, after graduating from University, which included a period of employment in the Foreign Exchange Office of American Express in Cambridge. Outside of research and his new podcast, ‘Checking In’ James is a keen mountain biker. He has ridden extensively throughout New Zealand, including the world-class tracks and trails in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts.
?“Our visitor optimisation modelling will analyse key metrics like visitor arrivals, activities and spending, transport modes, infrastructure and resource demands and, of course, carbon emissions, to understand tourism's impact on local lifestyles, infrastructure and ecosystems.
This data-driven approach and modelling will enable proactive planning, addressing issues like resource consumption, traffic congestion, and resource demands that are very difficult to manage in the face of sustained high growth.” - Professor James Higham
There’s significant excitement surrounding this innovative project, with the potential for successful models to be adapted by regions worldwide.
Join us on this journey toward a sustainable future for tourism in Queenstown, Lake Wānaka and beyond!
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Learn more:
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·?????? Lake Wanaka Tourism’s Instagram
·?????? Destination Queenstown Instagram
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