Sustainable tourism in New Zealand is not a one-off certification or a marketing badge. It is an ongoing process that requires constant attention from operators, local communities, and regulators. This The Press column makes that point by focusing on the tradeoffs between visitor numbers, environmental impact, and the economic benefits tourism brings. To make progress, destinations need clear metrics and the money to track them. That means measuring emissions from transport, accommodation, and activities, then acting on the results. Without that, sustainable tourism stays a slogan rather than a practical standard.
