Introduction.
Kapiti Island is “10 km long and about 2 km wide”(DOC, 1997), and it has been nature reserve since 1897. However, the north end of the island was used as a resort and limited farming between 1920-1961. In 1994, “rats were discovered eating birds eggs” (Katz, 2001, p5), and in 1995, a program “to eradicate rat was initiated” (Katz, 2001, p5). Then, in 1998, “Nick Smith [Minister of Conservation] officially declared Kapiti island rat free” (Katz, 2001, p5). The DOC is still strict on observing rat and other pests’ reintroduction, because “it is the only large island sanctuary for birds between Hauraki Gulf in the north and New Zealand’s southern outlying island” (DOC, 1997). On private owned land at the north part of the island, landowners cooperate with Department of Conservation and manage ecotourism, and attract tourists from all over the world.
Discussion.
Concession cost and effect: To protect natural reserve, concessions play an important role. However, it burdens tour organisers too much and could eliminate local operators out of ecotourism.
According to the Department of Conservation (2006), the concession of low impact process costs applicants at least $1190 + GST each, and high impact process takes 6-12 months. Then, J. Barrett stated ecotourism has low profitability (personal communication, September 6, 2006). It is not easy to afford concession cost for local operators, so the cost would lead local businesses to be taken over by corporations, which can withstand high investment. Moreover, multinational corporations which attract up-market visitors can construct their “own wastes management facility to minimize the risk of pollution”(Ioannides & Holcomb, 2003, p. 42).
On the other hand, Department of Conservation relies on taxation, which is coming from domestic money flow. So, it is not clear whether even the Department could keep their neutrality of concessions or not.
Native flora and fauna: J. Barrett said that after the end of the farming, the number of birds has increased and those birds brought seeds of plants to Kapiti Island. (personal communication, September 6, 2006). It appears to have positive feedback on the environment. However, this process has been in development for less than 20 years. It is difficult to see an alternative result of natural introductions of flora and fauna. At least, the main North Island of New Zealand is full of introduced plant species, which could be introduced to Kapiti by immigrating birds. The balance between native and introduced flora is unclear. Moreover, both of the amounts of introduced flora and fauna are still less than carrying capacity of Kapiti Island, and increasing in number. When the numbers reach the capacity, someone needs to decide whether they would move toward active conservation or keep observing.
Financial aspect: According to J. Barrett, the ecotourism industry is less profitable than other industries (personal communication, September 6, 2006), so they have difficulty funding primary investment. However, according to Osland, & Mackoy, “by self-assessment, the ecolodges were performing well on almost all of the other types of performance goals that managers and owners reported” (2004, p. 122). So, once financial organisations notice the ecolodge performances they will support ecotourism financially.
Transportation problems: As J. Barrett told us about birdwatchers from Europe (personal communication, September 6, 2006), it is beneficial that international ecotourists experience New Zealand undisturbed environment. However, Byrnes & Warnken mentioned, “Transport to and between destinations has been identified as tourism’s major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions” (2006, p.255), and the global warming has long term impacts as the climate change. Local conservation activities in particular area cannot withstand abrupt global change. People need to cooperate to work for that.
Recommendations: to better meet IPC’s definition of ecotourism.
Regulation of a direct financial benefit for conservation: The ecotour on Kapiti Island satisfies other 9 principles of IPC definition. It is based on the natural environment and community, benefit local society, and the guide talk and handout had enough educational components. Along a track, I saw native birds and plants, landform that tell us the local climate, and some traps to pests. Then, the ecotour follows the concession by Department of Conservation.
However, it was not clear that precisely how much financing they did for conservation every year. Especially, a private company does not have specific profits and a tour guiding is seasonal work, so they tend to have flexible expenditure for conservation. Therefore, ecotourism operators should store exact amount of funds every month for sustainable maintenance of natural reserve.
Conclusion.
1. Too close interaction between residents and bird: Because of long Ngati Toa tribe resident history, relationship between native birds and people are very close. However, native birds should not depend on humans, such as tourists. Ecotourists should keep their distance from native flora and fauna, and ecotourism operators should separate natural environment from ecotourists impact, such as walking track, accommodation and transportation.
2. Information for pest control: On the way to the island the guide distributed a handout about pest control, but I did not feel bothered reading it. The handout was recycled one. Ecotourism is able to protect nature, informing tourists about pest control, and it is much cheaper than pesticide after reintroduction. That handout is very useful for every ecotourists.
3. Domestic tourists rather than international. As J. Barrett mentioned in his speech, talking to local people and students about precious nature is an ecotour as well (personal communication, September 6, 2006). Furthermore, the number of domestic tourists is bigger than international travelers, and local people have more impact on the local environment. Ecotourism businesses should focus on education for local residents to conserve the environment together. Then, “marketing to repeat visitors is more economical than continually trying to attract new consumers” (Ioannides & Holcomb, 2003, p.44), and international tourists to New Zealand have geographical difficulties coming back again. So, focusing on domestic tourists has economical benefits as well.
Kapiti Island is “10 km long and about 2 km wide”(DOC, 1997), and it has been nature reserve since 1897. However, the north end of the island was used as a resort and limited farming between 1920-1961. In 1994, “rats were discovered eating birds eggs” (Katz, 2001, p5), and in 1995, a program “to eradicate rat was initiated” (Katz, 2001, p5). Then, in 1998, “Nick Smith [Minister of Conservation] officially declared Kapiti island rat free” (Katz, 2001, p5). The DOC is still strict on observing rat and other pests’ reintroduction, because “it is the only large island sanctuary for birds between Hauraki Gulf in the north and New Zealand’s southern outlying island” (DOC, 1997). On private owned land at the north part of the island, landowners cooperate with Department of Conservation and manage ecotourism, and attract tourists from all over the world.
Discussion.
Concession cost and effect: To protect natural reserve, concessions play an important role. However, it burdens tour organisers too much and could eliminate local operators out of ecotourism.
According to the Department of Conservation (2006), the concession of low impact process costs applicants at least $1190 + GST each, and high impact process takes 6-12 months. Then, J. Barrett stated ecotourism has low profitability (personal communication, September 6, 2006). It is not easy to afford concession cost for local operators, so the cost would lead local businesses to be taken over by corporations, which can withstand high investment. Moreover, multinational corporations which attract up-market visitors can construct their “own wastes management facility to minimize the risk of pollution”(Ioannides & Holcomb, 2003, p. 42).
On the other hand, Department of Conservation relies on taxation, which is coming from domestic money flow. So, it is not clear whether even the Department could keep their neutrality of concessions or not.
Native flora and fauna: J. Barrett said that after the end of the farming, the number of birds has increased and those birds brought seeds of plants to Kapiti Island. (personal communication, September 6, 2006). It appears to have positive feedback on the environment. However, this process has been in development for less than 20 years. It is difficult to see an alternative result of natural introductions of flora and fauna. At least, the main North Island of New Zealand is full of introduced plant species, which could be introduced to Kapiti by immigrating birds. The balance between native and introduced flora is unclear. Moreover, both of the amounts of introduced flora and fauna are still less than carrying capacity of Kapiti Island, and increasing in number. When the numbers reach the capacity, someone needs to decide whether they would move toward active conservation or keep observing.
Financial aspect: According to J. Barrett, the ecotourism industry is less profitable than other industries (personal communication, September 6, 2006), so they have difficulty funding primary investment. However, according to Osland, & Mackoy, “by self-assessment, the ecolodges were performing well on almost all of the other types of performance goals that managers and owners reported” (2004, p. 122). So, once financial organisations notice the ecolodge performances they will support ecotourism financially.
Transportation problems: As J. Barrett told us about birdwatchers from Europe (personal communication, September 6, 2006), it is beneficial that international ecotourists experience New Zealand undisturbed environment. However, Byrnes & Warnken mentioned, “Transport to and between destinations has been identified as tourism’s major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions” (2006, p.255), and the global warming has long term impacts as the climate change. Local conservation activities in particular area cannot withstand abrupt global change. People need to cooperate to work for that.
Recommendations: to better meet IPC’s definition of ecotourism.
Regulation of a direct financial benefit for conservation: The ecotour on Kapiti Island satisfies other 9 principles of IPC definition. It is based on the natural environment and community, benefit local society, and the guide talk and handout had enough educational components. Along a track, I saw native birds and plants, landform that tell us the local climate, and some traps to pests. Then, the ecotour follows the concession by Department of Conservation.
However, it was not clear that precisely how much financing they did for conservation every year. Especially, a private company does not have specific profits and a tour guiding is seasonal work, so they tend to have flexible expenditure for conservation. Therefore, ecotourism operators should store exact amount of funds every month for sustainable maintenance of natural reserve.
Conclusion.
1. Too close interaction between residents and bird: Because of long Ngati Toa tribe resident history, relationship between native birds and people are very close. However, native birds should not depend on humans, such as tourists. Ecotourists should keep their distance from native flora and fauna, and ecotourism operators should separate natural environment from ecotourists impact, such as walking track, accommodation and transportation.
2. Information for pest control: On the way to the island the guide distributed a handout about pest control, but I did not feel bothered reading it. The handout was recycled one. Ecotourism is able to protect nature, informing tourists about pest control, and it is much cheaper than pesticide after reintroduction. That handout is very useful for every ecotourists.
3. Domestic tourists rather than international. As J. Barrett mentioned in his speech, talking to local people and students about precious nature is an ecotour as well (personal communication, September 6, 2006). Furthermore, the number of domestic tourists is bigger than international travelers, and local people have more impact on the local environment. Ecotourism businesses should focus on education for local residents to conserve the environment together. Then, “marketing to repeat visitors is more economical than continually trying to attract new consumers” (Ioannides & Holcomb, 2003, p.44), and international tourists to New Zealand have geographical difficulties coming back again. So, focusing on domestic tourists has economical benefits as well.