Govt to partner Tourism Industry in Green Globe
22 May 2000
Government to partner Tourism Industry in Green Globe programme
The New Zealand Government has
committed $150,000 to support the establishment of the Green
Globe 21 environmental standard programme for tourism in New
Zealand, Tourism Minister Mark Burton and Environment
Minister Marian Hobbs announced today.
The Ministry of
the Environment's Sustainable Management Fund and the Office
of Tourism and Sport will join with the Tourism Industry
Association to fund the programme.
Green Globe 21 is a
global programme for the travel and tourism industry. New
Zealand tourism operators will be encouraged to write and
adhere to environmental policy statements, which should
result in improved environmental performance.
The
Minister of Tourism Mark Burton said it was encouraging to
see the tourism industry prepared to get involved
proactively in management of tourism's greatest asset - the
environment.
"We know that we must manage the environment
responsibly. The Green Globe 21 programme and the
environmental policy statements will provide valuable tools
to assist the tourism industry enhance, manage and monitor
its performance as one of the caretakers of New Zealand's
unique ecosystems," Mr Burton said.
Environment Minister
Marian Hobbs said it was pleasing to see a world-recognised
and proven environmental management programme being
introduced into New Zealand.
"I am really encouraged that
the tourism industry is taking a proactive stance to protect
our environment with Green Globe 21, which is linked to
Agenda 21 - the comprehensive programme of sustainable
development signed by New Zealand and 182 other countries at
the United Nations Earth Summit in Brazil.
"The
implementation of this programme by the New Zealand tourism
industry will have specific and measurable outcomes,
including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," Ms
Hobbs said.
Tourism Industry Association Chief Executive
Glenys Coughlan has welcomed the partnership with
Government.
"Industries such as tourism are recognising
the need to be responsible for the environments they depend
on.
"New Zealand's environment is one of our key
marketing advantages and this programme will encourage
tourism operators to see environmental quality as a source
of competitive advantage rather than as a cost to the bottom
line of their business."
Ms Coughlan said that for change
to occur, it was important that all sectors of the tourism
industry - from major tourism companies to emerging grass
roots operators – were encouraged to be involved in this
initiative.
ENDS