Destination Development

Sustainable Tourism

We play a key role in supporting the sustainability of our region’s tourism sector, identifying key projects and priorities to support a more regenerative future.

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Building a Resilient Future

Guided by the Murihiku Southland Destination Strategy, there is a desire for tourism in the region to be developed in a way that achieves benefits for our natural environment and local communities. The tourism industry is predicted to be one of the most impacted sectors in our region due to climate change, further driving the urgency to build a climate resilient economy.

To support operators on their sustainability journey, we have developed the Murihiku Southland Sustainable Tourism Programme, which typically runs over a six-week period. We also offer the Sustainable Tourism Webinar Series to encourage continual learning in key areas relevant to the tourism sector.

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Murihiku Southland Sustainable Tourism Survey

To monitor where our businesses are at in relation to their sustainability journey and to understand the key challenges faced, Great South conducts an annual sustainable tourism survey. This provides key insights and is used to tailor support provided to the sector moving forward.

The results of our 2024 Murihiku Southland Sustainable Tourism Survey show strong improvement in the number of tourism businesses measuring their carbon footprint and growth in the number with a sustainability accreditation and/ or carbon certification.