Industry Challenges
Tourism, Biosecurity, and Pathways: Identifying Tourist Risk and Mitigation Strategies
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mark Mc Neill
The significant movement of tourists carries the risk of the accidental introduction and/or spread of non-indigenous species (NIS). Invasive NIS can have significant impact on the environment as well as on visitor experience. In addition, greater compliance costs and restricted access or cessation of activity due to government imposed controls are both direct costs to the tourist industry. In New Zealand, agriculture and tourism comprise the two key economic earners, while the natural environment – described as "clean and green" – provides opportunity for tourists to experience nature tourism. Research funded through Better Border Biosecurity (B3) integrates identification of potential biosecurity threats from tourists once they cross the border and identifies the points where they interact with our native or agricultural environment. This includes identifying pathways to map tourist flows across the country and commit surveillance efforts at these sites to quantify the biosecurity risk. Another component is to develop a model framework for raising biosecurity awareness and compliance before arrival. The outcome is better understanding of risks carried on the tourist pathway, establishment of priorities for intervention or increased surveillance, and the development of strategies to eliminate or mitigate that risk.
Does a Small Community Benefit from an International Sports Event?
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Marco Scholtz
Tourism has been shown as a viable option for uplifting communities. However, not all communities have significant tourist attractions or are as easily accessible as larger, more developed cities. This isolation makes tourism benefits more difficult to achieve. This study aimed to determine to what extent an annual international sporting event, the Fauresmith 200 International Endurance Ride, can be an attraction in a small, mostly isolated community and can benefit residents, as well as the extent to which the event contributes to the community over time. Using quantitative, convenience sampling (questionnaires), four social impact perception factors during the event were revealed, as well as four social impact perceptions factors among residents of the event over time. Residents were found to perceive benefits both during the event and over time. Recommendations are made regarding the management of the event and the development of future sports events in the town.
