Understanding energy consumption patterns of tourist attractions and activities in New Zealand

Abstract

A major threat to the sustainability of tourism is the escalating demand for energy resulting in the depletion of natural resources and an associated threat to the global climate. It is argued that tourism, and particularly the recreational part of the product, may contribute considerably to a country's ‘energy bill’. This study analyses tourist attractions and activities in New Zealand with the purpose to understanding the energy use of different categories, sub-categories, and operator types. The results of a survey across a wide range of tourism businesses ( N=107) show that tourist attractions, such as museums (10 MJ/visit), or experience centres (29 MJ/visit) generally consume less energy than tourist activities, such as scenic flights (344 MJ/flight) or jet boating (255 MJ/ride), on a per capita basis. Various factors influence the total energy cost of a business and the consumption per tourist, particularly when motorised travel is used to overcome physical barriers. Such factors include visitor numbers, management style, technical equipment, and fuel mix. A detailed examination of the energy use pattern of an operator can often improve the energy efficiency.