An accreditation scheme for ecotourism in New Zealand

Abstract

This paper focused on the operationalisation of sustainable principles and practices of ecotourism for accreditation purpose in New Zealand. A summary and analysis of the sustainable principles and practices in the literature, a review of the accreditation process for the Audubon Society, the Ecotourism Association of Australia and the New Zealand Adventure Annual Directory, and a survey of ecotour operators helped identify essential elements in developing an accreditation scheme. The results of the survey suggested five criteria essential to sustainable ecotourism practice in New Zealand: promotion of an environmental ethic, ecological and environmental education of visitors, proactive measures contributing to conservation efforts, minimising impacts on the environment, and a focus of the tour on the interpretation of nature. These criteria were operationalised into a 5 point rating system to gauge sustainable practice. Funding, education, information access, networking, research and monitoring are factors together with accreditation which were identified as essential for a holistic approach to sustainable tourism.