Canterbury tourism businesses praised for leading charge toward sustainability

- May 2009 -

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism and its business partners are out-performing the rest of the country in demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Latest figures show that Canterbury businesses have earned 35 Enviro logos, giving the region 28% of New Zealand's total Qualmark Green certification to March 2009.

Qualmark Green is a fully integrated quality and environment performance tourism assurance system which was introduced nationwide in August 2008 as part of the New Zealand tourism industry's commitment to sustainability.

Before they can display the Qualmark Green logo businesses must meet minimum environmental standards. Those who go beyond the minimum standards and engage in energy efficiency, waste management, or conservation initiatives are rewarded with Enviro Silver or Enviro Gold logos.

Canterbury tourism businesses that have already earned Enviro Gold ratings include Whale Watch Kaikoura, The Hermitage Hotel at Aoraki Mt Cook, Taurikura Lodge Banks Peninsula, Garthowen B&B Akaroa and Adventure South in Christchurch.

Christchurch & Canterbury chief executive Christine Prince says those businesses who have already achieved Qualmark Green status are helping cement Canterbury as a great destination for eco-conscious visitors who want an experience of a life-time.

"Sustainable practices are proving good for the environment and the economy - sustainability leads to cost-saving too, which has to be good for everyone.

We are delighted so many of our accommodation and service  providers are embracing the Qualmark Enviro-logos opportunity and earning our region accolades for their best practice,'' says Ms Prince.

David Dixson, the owner of the Akaroa Criterion, has been proudly displaying an Enviro Silver logo on his motel since October last year. The motel was among the first in the country to get the rating.

"We jumped at it,'' says Mr Dixson who notes that clients from European countries, in particular, have become very conscious of the environment and prefer to stay in places that are "green''.

Achieving the rating has taken lots of hard work but Mr Dixson says the benefits from both an environmental and business perspective has made it worthwhile.

"We would seriously say to anybody get these ratings. It raises awareness and makes good business sense,'' says Mr Dixson, who lives by the slogan 'recycle and save money'.

CCT's own efforts in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions have already seen it become the first regional tourism organisation in New Zealand to earn CarboNZero certification.

Geoff Penrose, chief executive of Qualmark, says the Christchurch and Canterbury businesses are an excellent example to others of how environmentally responsible activities can best be fully integrated into day-to-day operations.

"This is an impressive achievement for these Canterbury operators who have taken the lead in environmental sustainability,'' Mr Penrose says.

In another sign of the region's commitment to the environment and sustainability, CCT has been working closely with the Christchurch City Council on enlisting tourism operators for the new Target Sustainability tourism cluster project. Those who sign up to the project are given help to reduce their waste and to become energy and water efficient.

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