Sustainability. noun: the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
In this sustainability issue of Southern Lakes Business, it’s inspiring see so many businesses embracing sustainability, ensuring Queenstown Lakes district is a thriving destination and a great place to live, now and in the future.
What comes to mind when you think about sustainability? By definition, sustainability is the concept of maintaining, or supporting, something continuously over time. Generally, we associate this with environmental initiatives, which of course are crucial, but sustainability extends much further when we consider social and cultural wellbeing too.
At the heart of the Queenstown Lakes destination management plan (DMP) is a commitment to ensuring tourism contributes long term holistic value to our communities, the environment, and the economy. A collaboration between Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism and Queenstown Lakes District Council, the DMP outlines projects focused on ensuring this region remains a special place for generations to come.
One example is the ground-breaking project now underway to understand what optimal visitation in the Queenstown Lakes looks like. As a high growth region, with tourism at its heart, this project aims to build a model that will help guide better decisions and ensure the future of tourism is well planned, contributing to a thriving community, environment and industry.
As a business community, there are so many things we are all doing to preserve and protect the Queenstown Lakes, and these actions are critical to create a great future for the region. Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace to create high performing teams; making products and experiences more accessible to exceed guest expectations; seeking renewable energy solutions like solar or hydrogen; buying locally; and investing in community initiatives that make a significant impact on people and place.
We are incredibly lucky to live in such a special part of the world and I’m constantly blown away by the amazing mahi happening to leave this place in better shape than we found it. From Michael Sly (‘Mr Chippy’)transforming tonnes of hotel food waste into compost, to Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s Shotover Jet on its way to becoming the world’s first electric jet boat — the work being done from the ground up is what makes our region special.
If you’re keen to understand more about sustainability options for business or the destination management work underway, then I encourage you to contact DQ. We’d also like to hear about initiatives underway in your business to support the region’s regenerative future.
It’s the small things, when done together at scale, that will make the greatest difference.
Mat Woods
Chief Executive Destination Queenstown
