Covid-19 might have a small silver lining for the global tourism industry. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate surrounding over-tourism was growing enormously in both number & volume as reports have come in from the most
famous destinations which were virtually overrun by Instagram-driven hordes. Residents of the country in popular tourist areas have struggled for viewing the visitor industry as a positive impact on their visitors, and lives. As a result of overcrowding, visitors have reported their frustrating experiences.
Global tourism ceased in the spring of 2020. Having been completely deprived of visitors traffic cruise departures and airline flights were scrubbed, borders closed and hotels shuttered. Scores of workers in the tourism industry and some supporting industries were sent out to pasture on permanent redundancy or temporary furlough. Slicks of sunscreen have washed off newly emptied tourist beaches as a result of which the sea life has got returned.
As discussions of famous destinations were turned from coping with visitor traffic to survival in the fiscal year, all talk of over-tourism vanished.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, New was one of those countries which were beginning to grapple with early signs of over-tourism. Comparatively, New Zealand is a small country, with a land area and population that is roughly similar to the state of Colorado. It has welcomed nearly about 4 million tourism visitors in 2019 and has approached one visitor for each resident.
The growth of tourism had not quite reached Venice-like saturation, but the Instagrammable attraction of a few of the countries were starting to feel a bit crowded.
In 2018, New Zealand has launched the Tiaki Promise, which has begun communicating the requirements for travelers for the respect of the local environment. In the following year, the country has introduced a levy on international visitors which assists sustainability projects and funds conservation, like enhancing the amount of predator-free breeding grounds for endangered indigenous birds.
So, even before over-tourism has become a pressing issue in New Zealand, the government was making plans for adjustments to make sure that the future visitors would be giving their contributions to the well-being of the residents and environment of the country.
When Covid-19 has closed the borders of the country and they were expected to still remain closed through 2021 for international tourism, the economy was undoubtedly impacted by the overnight cessation of the visitor dollars. While the closure might have been a stark reminder of the topline benefits which were contributed by the visitor industry, so at the starting of the pandemic, the government of New Zealand was jumped on the opportunity to reshape how tourism used to affect and give benefits to the country by the establishment of the Tourism Futures Taskforce.
Tourism New Zealand is also having hope that a reduction in crowding at popular spots by the spread of visitors across the calendar year and assist in the promotion of less-trafficked parts of the North Islands and South Islands.
For appreciating the diverse experiences and landscapes of New Zealand completely, we are indulged in encouraging visits to a huge range of regions across both islands. Maori culture and warm tropical weather in Northland greet you with open arms. Gisborne is one of the first in the world for watching the sunrise of the new day.
The rugged coastline of the West Coast makes for an epic drive while Down South Nelson Tasman facilitates spectacular kayaking hiking and artisanal cuisine. Check out Stewart for really getting off the beaten track, for some amazing wildlife viewing and stargazing.