BYATA | Better tourism together
Sustainable Tourism
Practical ideas, inspiring stories and resources to help youth, backpacker and adventure tourism businesses make a positive difference.
BYATA is committed to supporting sustainable tourism across Aotearoa New Zealand. Tourism businesses can help protect the places visitors come to experience, contribute to local communities and make responsible choices that benefit both people and the environment.
Sustainability does not need to mean making every change at once. Small, practical improvements — involving your team, working with local suppliers and reducing waste — can build into meaningful progress over time.
Our sustainability statement
BYATA encourages members to embed sustainability into everyday business decisions and the experiences they provide.
Protect the environment | Kaitiakitanga
Care for the natural environment and the landscapes, waterways and places that make Aotearoa special.
Respect our communities
Encourage responsible travel, respect local culture and communities, and contribute positively to the places affected by tourism.
Invest locally
Employ local people where possible, support local businesses and choose locally made products and services.
Make sustainability part of the business
Establish an environmental care policy, involve staff and make sustainable practices part of daily operations.
Reduce our footprint
Monitor and reduce energy, water and fuel consumption, prevent waste and consider opportunities to reduce emissions.
Give back
Support community projects, native planting, conservation initiatives and charitable organisations.
Where can your business start?
You don't need a large budget to make a difference. Here are some practical starting points for tourism operators.
Reduce waste
Avoid unnecessary single-use items, improve recycling and compost food scraps where suitable.
Save energy and water
Track consumption, maintain equipment, use efficient lighting and identify avoidable water and energy use.
Buy local
Work with local suppliers, showcase regional products and help more visitor spending remain in the community.
Engage your team
Share your sustainability goals with staff and give everyone practical ways to contribute and suggest improvements.
Educate your visitors
Encourage respectful behaviour, care for the environment and consideration for local residents and cultural values.
Support local projects
Get involved in beach clean-ups, conservation work, native planting or community initiatives in your region.
Tiaki – Care for New Zealand
Tiaki means to care for people and place. The Tiaki Promise encourages everyone travelling in Aotearoa New Zealand to help protect our natural environment, respect local cultures and communities, and travel safely.
As tourism operators, we can play an important role in sharing these values with our visitors and encouraging responsible travel. By promoting small, positive actions, we can all help protect the places and experiences that make New Zealand special.
Share your sustainability story
There are great initiatives happening throughout New Zealand's tourism sector. If your business is reducing waste, supporting local communities, protecting the environment or finding new ways to operate more sustainably, we'd love to hear about it.
Sharing practical examples can inspire other BYATA members and help showcase the positive contribution our sector makes.
Share your story with BYATA →