Two New Zealand operators have been named among the UK
Guardian newspaper's 2010 Guardian Green Travel List.
Wellington's Zealandia and Wilderness Lodges (Arthur's Pass and
Lake Moeraki) were among just 75 companies that were identified by
a team of experts as having shown evidence of their commitment to
the environment and their communities.
The list is published on the Guardian's website (37
million monthly unique users) and in the print edition of the paper
(circulation 300,000).
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says inclusion
in the list is a credit to the ongoing efforts of both
organisations to providing their customers with world-class tourism
experiences, while also protecting and benefiting the
environment.
"This is an important achievement for both Zealandia and
Wilderness Lodges. The recognition will help raise awareness in the
UK of what New Zealand has to offer as a green tourism
destination."
Richard Hammond, founder of www.greentraveller.co.uk and co-author of
The Rough Guide to Clean Breaks, nominated Zealandia and
Wilderness Lodges based on his experience while in New Zealand with
Tourism New Zealand's International Media Programme last year.
He quoted a Chinese proverb that summed up the ethos of the two
New Zealand operators: "Tell me and I will forget; show me and I
may remember; involve me and I will understand."
"This is what Zealandia is all about," he said. "It's much more
than a showcase of a few iconic wildlife; it's an experience - an
involvement in the natural world.
"It shows what you can do to create a green space in the heart
of an urban jungle if you put your mind to it."
While commending Zealandia's 500-year vision to restore New
Zealand's biodiversity, he praised Wilderness Lodges for its
contribution to safeguarding thousands of hectares of forests,
shrub lands, grasslands and wetlands.
"Much of the food is home-reared or grown, and half the
electricity is generated from their hydro-electric power
plant."
The Guardian Green Travel List is selected
based on questionnaires completed by 200 shortlisted travel
businesses. The final 75 were chosen by 10 travel and tourism
experts, who identified that significant changes had been made
within the businesses to reduce environmental impacts.
The Guardian Green Travel List is published in association with www.greentraveller.co.uk and Forum
for the Future.