Analysing international tourist flows to estimate energy use associated with air travel

Tourism is a major global industry and air travel is an increasingly vital component of international tourism. This paper examines the neglected relationship between tourism and aviation with regard to global environmental impacts, including energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Based on visitor arrival data collected by Statistics New Zealand, it estimates a total energy use of 27.8 PJ resulting from international passenger air travel to New Zealand, which would increase national energy use by 6% if international air travel were included in national inventories. This energy use translates into additional carbon dioxide emissions of 1.9 million tonnes. These estimates are discussed in terms of a tourist's 'energy bill', national and international climate change policies, and with regard to the concept of sustainable tourism development

Tourism and transport in New Zealand : implications for energy use

Securing and conserving our long term future is the number one objective of the recently released New Zealand Tourism Strategy (2001). Previous research showed that an essential impediment to achieving sustainable tourism is the heavy use of transport by tourists and the environmental impacts resulting from this travel (Müller, 1992; Gössling, 2000). The associated energy use is a major concern, since it does not only undermine the goal of efficient resource use as outlined by the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010, but it also contributes to the failure of New Zealand in achieving its goals set by the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. This report discusses previous research in this field, describes the present transport sector’s greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand, discusses the supply of tourism transport infrastructure, and provided senergy intensities of main New Zealand transport modes. Different transport modes are hypothetically juxtaposed on an analysis of a journey from Christchurch to Dunedin. Suggestions for reducing transport energy use are discussed. Clearly, to achieve the stakes set by both the Tourism (Tourism Strategy Group, 2001) and the Energy Strategy (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority [EECA], 2001), transport of tourists plays a critical role

Distance models for New Zealand international tourists and the role of transport prices

We analyse data on the distances travelled using car and air transport modes in New Zealand by a large sample of international tourists from six different countries of origin. We use two-stage hurdle models to relate both the decision to use each mode and the distance travelled by a mode if used to visitor characteristics and prices. In general we find little evidence of price sensitivity for either decision, although older tourists, those with longer stays, and non-tour group travellers may be more price-sensitive. The most important characteristics for determining transport behaviour are shown to be length of stay, purpose of visit and travel style (tour vs non-tour).http://jtr.sagepub.com/cgi/rapidpdf/0047287510362919v1http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/004728751036291

Developing a resilience framework to assess tourisms' response to climatic events

What is resilience? Described as a “… measure of the persistence of systems and of their ability to absorb change and disturbance and still maintain the same relationships between populations or state variables” (Holling, 1973:14) The essence of resilience thinking is that it explicitly seeks to address change rather than avoid it

Evaluating the business case for investment in the resilience of the tourism sector of small island developing states

Over the last decade, a number of disasters severely affected tourist destinations. At the same time, the management of disasters has shifted from a reactive, top-down approach to a more inclusive approach that seeks to proactively include the private sector in reducing the risk of disasters. Considering that a significant proportion of tourism occurs in the potentially hazardous coastal zones of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), private tourism sector stakeholders can – and maybe have to – play an active role in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Establishing the business merits associated with investment in disaster resilient measures would be necessary to support increased private sector DRR investment. This study therefore evaluated the business case for investment in the resilience of the tourism sector in SIDS. As such, it offers: 1) a greater understanding of the root causes of destination vulnerability and risk using a cross-regional, comparative case study approach; and 2) a qualitative evaluation of the business case for investment in the resilience of SIDS tourism. Semi-structured interviews with 80 private and public sector stakeholders in the Caribbean, Pacific and AIMS regions revealed that some private sector stakeholders already self-regulate based on individual evaluations of a variety of tangible and less tangible benefits. More research is needed to develop the economic and financial data that may possibly encourage greater private sector investment in DRR, as well as, create a supportive and enabling national economic context for resilient tourism investment.This Background Paper was commissioned and financially supported (award no. OBMO#51870) by the Global Assessment Report team led by Andrew Maskrey based at the Secretariat of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, Geneva, Switzerland

Planning for climate, weather and other natural disasters: Tourism in Northland

The weather is an important ingredient for tourism, but it is also a potential source of hazard, with natural disasters resulting from extreme events not being uncommon in New Zealand. Using the tourism sector in Northland as a case study, this research sought to identify key concerns and issues relating to climate and weather, and to understand the flow of information between weather information providers and users, including tourists. The research also assessed tourism’s preparedness for natural disasters and involvement in local or regional civil defence responses. Interviews with key stakeholders were undertaken in three stages and analysed to generate insights into the relationship between climate, weather and tourism. The key issue identified by tourism stakeholders related to the image of Northland as a tourist destination and the impact of weather forecasts on domestic visitors, mainly from the Auckland market. Seasonality of visitation is also an issue. Climate variability (i.e. changes in every-day conditions such as rainy days) was not perceived to be a big problem; in fact most tourism stakeholders reported relatively little disruption from unfavourable weather conditions. Non-tourism stakeholders expressed concerns about longer term issues, such as climate change and its impacts on extreme events, such as flooding and drought, and sea level rise. The analysis of crisis and disasters resulting from extreme weather events revealed that, while there are regional and local response plans and processes in place, tourism is not explicitly integrated into those. A few gaps, such as communicating road closures or early warnings, were identified and could be rectified by better cooperation between tourism and civil defence organisations. In summary, the Northland climate and weather appears generally very favourable for tourism although there are some seasonality issues arising from the current reliance on coastal and waterbased attractions. Efforts to both attract visitors outside the summer season and to improve summer visitation numbers may be directed at addressing perceived image problems. There is also scope to increase the capability of tourism stakeholders to deal with emergency situations

Who is protecting tourists in New Zealand from severe weather hazards?: an exploration of the role of locus of responsibility in protective behaviour decisions

Much of New Zealand's tourism industry is focused on 'the outdoors', capitalising on its natural environment and attractions. However, this 'product' makes New Zealand tourism vulnerable to environmental variability and disturbances, including the weather. As a consequence, New Zealand weather has a significant impact on the industry in terms of operations, tourist satisfaction, and tourist safety. This paper presents the results of a study on how tourists in New Zealand anticipate possible hazardous weather events, to what extent they prepare themselves, and their information preferences (type and source) that help them to stay safe when severe weather occurs

Asia–Pacific tourism futures emerging from COVID-19 recovery responses and implications for sustainability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide contrasting narratives of what the future of Asia Pacific tourism may look like, and to identify how current policy interventions and recommendations made for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovery shape the system's trajectory. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on a set of four possible futures emerging from COVID-19, tourism policy responses are analysed and a link to their potential contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals is made. Findings – A system goal is presented for each scenario, and what this means for the tourism system. Existing policies indicate that tourism is moving towards a “Discipline” future, although evidence for all four trajectories could be identified. Whilst the “Transform” scenario is most aligned with a sustainable future, the findings highlight that sustainability outcomes are possible in the other scenarios as well, if risks are managed adequately. Research limitations/implications – The limitation is that the core structure of the four futures was not specifically developed for tourism. However, given that tourism is firmly embedded in national and global economies, this limitation is not material. Practical implications – This paper supports decision-makers to develop adaptability in the face of great uncertainty and complexity. Risks and opportunities associated with each of the four tourism futures are identified, and examples are provided how sustainability outcomes can be maximised in each. Social implications – Sustainability is a safe and necessary strategy regardless of the trajectory to any of the four scenarios. The long-term health of the tourism system and anyone involved in it depends on significant progress along the Sustainable Development Goals. Originality/value – This paper explores pathways for system change and how different COVID-19 policy approaches contribute to shaping the system's trajectory. It highlights the risks associated with certain trajectories, and also identifies how short-term recovery priorities might undermine long-term sustainability

Who is protecting tourists in New Zealand from severe weather hazards?: an exploration of the role of locus of responsibility in protective behaviour decisions

Much of New Zealand's tourism industry is focused on 'the outdoors', capitalising on its natural environment and attractions. However, this 'product' makes New Zealand tourism vulnerable to environmental variability and disturbances, including the weather. As a consequence, New Zealand weather has a significant impact on the industry in terms of operations, tourist satisfaction, and tourist safety. This paper presents the results of a study on how tourists in New Zealand anticipate possible hazardous weather events, to what extent they prepare themselves, and their information preferences (type and source) that help them to stay safe when severe weather occurs