Other methods for managing tourism
Strategic planning initiatives including tourism strategies
A wide range of strategic initiatives are available to manage the effects of tourism on the environment. Implementation of a tourism plan could be one method used to action the policies in a district or regional plan.
Refer to the Thames Coromandel strategy (PDF 370 KB) best practice example.
Education/advocacy/awareness raising
Education, advocacy and awareness raising can help promote the protection and enhancement of heritage buildings or landscape features that contribute to the tourist experience of an area.
Examples of education/advocacy/awareness raising
Refer to the Napier District Plan (PDF 66 KB) best practice example.
Council funding and/or works
Councils can have a significant and direct role in managing the number of tourists and the places they visit through the development, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure and other works (eg. camping grounds). Even a moderate level of expenditure to improve facilities in an area can help to enhance the value of the tourist experience.
Bylaws
Bylaws can be used to control anything from signage to activities on beaches. Refer, for example, to the Southland District Council Camping Bylaw.
Covenants on titles
Councils can encourage the use of voluntary open space or conservation covenants to protect areas of landscape or ecological value. Alternatively a requirement to register the landscape covenant on a title can be imposed as a condition of a subdivision consent. Refer to 'Reading and Interpreting Certificates of Title'.
Reserve management plans
Reserve Management Plans (RMP) are prepared under the Reserves Act 1977 and guide the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, and preservation of the reserve by the administering body (eg. DoC, local authority). Many reserves have significant tourism value and a RMP can be an important planning tool to complement a district or regional plan, particularly if referred to in the objectives, policies or assessment criteria included in these plans.
Esplanade reserve strategy
Development of a strategy can help to encourage more cohesive council decision-making when considering the acquisition of esplanade reserves at the time of development. It can also help to avoid ad hoc, piecemeal development with poor connections. Also refer to Esplanade Reserves guidance note.
Land acquisition
Councils can consider the purchase of sites with landscape, heritage or other tourism values where land purchase is the most effective means available to protect these values.
Incentives
Provision of incentives can be considered in return for the protection of certain landscape or heritage features (eg. waiving of consent fees/development contributions/rates, assistance with replanting/weed control/fencing).
Partnerships with Communities and other Organisations
Councils can work with local community and environmental groups to develop such things as signage, walkways, and interpretative material. Councils may partly fund these activities and/or provide professional staff input
