Kristin Dunne Tourism Bay of Plenty

We love the fact that the Bay of Plenty is an eye-catching region experienced by many all year round.

But imagine if we could sustainably enhance not only this memorable experience, but the New Zealand offering even further for future generations to cherish?

This is why we support the Government's draft Aotearoa-New Zealand Government Tourism Strategy, which aims to ensuring that all Kiwis benefit from "productive, sustainable and inclusive" tourism growth.

We have been part of initial conversations with the hope that, if implemented, this will become a national road map for all regional tourism operators (including ourselves), helping to inform, guide and support decision making about tourism initiatives.

Importantly, it will enable national collaboration on identifying opportunities associated with international and domestic visitor growth, and how we manage the impact on the environment and infrastructure.

This is a crucial factor in deciding how to package and offer a truly unique and memorable experience that continues to give visitors a real sense of the Bay.

Tourism is an ever-increasing contributor to our region's economic success, which is why we are committed to being proactive and working collectively, locally and nationally, to enrich this through sustainable growth.

Tourism Bay of Plenty leading the Destination Management movement in New Zealand is a clear example of us sustainably helping to shape the future of tourism for our region. Local tour operators in the Bay are following suit with Mount Maunganui's Shore Trips and Tours' 100% electric tour bus due to be taking passengers from early next year.

We welcome the Government's draft Tourism Strategy as it provides a roadmap for how we can showcase the Bay of Plenty while preserving the region's unique identity.