What is a primary focus of sustainable tourism in New Zealand?

The primary focus of sustainable tourism in New Zealand is preserving natural ecosystems. This focus is essential because New Zealand’s unique biodiversity and stunning landscapes are significant draws for visitors. Sustainable tourism seeks to ensure that the natural environment is protected and maintained so that it can be enjoyed by both current and future generations.

This involves promoting practices that minimize environmental impact, such as respecting wildlife habitats, reducing pollution, and managing resources responsibly. By prioritizing the health of ecosystems, New Zealand aims to balance the need for tourism with conservation efforts, thus fostering a tourism model that is economically viable while also being ecologically sustainable.

Increasing tourist numbers, maximizing profit for tour operators, and developing large commercial resorts tend to prioritize economic gains over environmental integrity, which can lead to overuse of resources, habitat destruction, and degradation of the natural attractions that tourists come to appreciate. Thus, those options do not align with the principles of sustainable tourism in New Zealand.