ABSTRACT
This chapter considers issues pertaining to ecotourism in New Zealand from two perspectives. For the most part the definition of ecotourism utilised in this chapter is tourism that is primarily motivated by a wish ‘to study, admire, or appreciate the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found’ (Blamey, 1995:14). Generally, discussions of ecotourism incorporate an educational component allied with a wish for activities to be sustainable, that is having the minimum disturbance possible upon physical and cultural environments. The first issue is, what are the implications of seeking to develop ecotourism for a country like New Zealand in terms of its impacts upon the National Parks within a market-led governmental policy? Second, what are the problems of sustaining small businesses based upon seasonal demand? Both issues are considered through three case studies. Each will review the operator’s practices and the beliefs underlying those operations. Subsequently, the question is asked, is financial viability for small ecotourism operators only sustainable through high pricing which limits the market to the comparatively affluent, or alternatively by the operator sustaining high personal costs in both financial and psychological terms?
