Queenstown Tourism Operators Sign Up For Sustainable Business Practice

Some of Queenstown’s top tourism businesses are leading the way to a more sustainable future by signing up for the district’s first ever Sustainable Business programme.

NZ Ski, Skyline Gondola, Restaurant & Luge, Dart River Jet Safaris, Kawarau Jet, Kingsgate Hotel Terraces, Copthorne Hotel, Millennium Hotel, Kiwi Discovery & Queenstown Rafting, Nomad Safaris, Southern PR, Fluid Visual Communications, and The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments will start their longterm sustainable practice commitment on 17 February with a three-hour workshop. Further workshops, action planning and one-to-one work with a qualified adviser will follow.

The Government-subsidised programme aims to encourage Queenstown businesses of all sizes to become more sustainable in terms of environment, social responsibilities and financial viability. The Sustainable Business Programme is to be delivered by Otago Polytech’s Centre for Sustainable Practice in collaboration with partners Destination Queenstown, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Ministry of Tourism, and the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce.

Queenstown’s Sustainable Tourism Advisor Sharon Schindler and well-known sustainable practice expert Steve Henry, who heads the Centre for Sustainable Practice, will lead the programme.

Ms Schindler says the programme is designed to support organisations as they work towards sustainable practice with a strategic, future-focused approach.

“We’ll provide general managers, CEOs, business owners and senior managers with the advice and skills they need to evaluate, implement and manage sustainable practice from the top down in their businesses.

“Each business will benefit from access to expertise across a range of business disciplines. All attendees will receive a tailormade solution and action plan to follow which includes how to reduce costs on waste, water, power and maintenance, reduce waste, and assist with achieving or upgrading Qualmark certifications and Enviro-ratings.

“The benefits for businesses are huge. Efficiencies will reduce costs, tight focus will reveal weak points and, in the end businesses will have a real point of difference that could offer competitive advantage in the market. Our vision is for every business in Queenstown to complete the programme,” says Ms Schindler.

Mr Henry, of the Centre for Sustainable Practice, says sustainable practice has become integral to long term business success, particularly in the tourism industry.

“Businesses will be at risk if they don’t head down the track of sustainable practice. The expectation of meeting the needs of the more discerning, environmentally aware visitor is increasing around the world.

“Our Ministries of Tourism and the Environment have set a clear direction for New Zealand’s sustainable future. These Sustainable Business programmes aim to improve the overall operation of the business community, bring local tourism businesses into line as per the Tourism Strategy 2015 and provide regionwide economic, social and environmental benefits.”

Author: The release was issued by Otago Ploytechnic. For more information visit www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz and click on “Changing our Ways, Sustainable Practice”.

The fee structure for participating businesses starts at $150 plus GST for businesses with 1-2 full time employees and ranges to $1000 for those with more than 50 full time employees.

Registrations are now open for the second and third programme intakes in June and October.