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WELLINGTON: The New Zealand government vowed on Wednesday (November 18) to take action against backpackers relieving themselves in places of natural beauty as part of post-coronavirus tourism plans.
Kiwis have long complained about so-called “freedom campers” who travel the country in motorhomes that do not have sanitary facilities and leave human waste on the side of the road.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said the practice did not fit the “100 percent pure” image of New Zealand and international visitors could expect change when the borders are finally reopened.
“They need to buy our brand of sustainability and what we stand for as a country: defecating on the side of the road and waterways is not who we are as a nation,” he told reporters.
Nash said he planned to ban travelers from hiring non-autonomous motorhomes as part of a restart of the tourism industry when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
“My ambition is that once global borders are opened, the world’s most discerning travelers will consider New Zealand one of the top three places in the world to visit,” he said.
Before the pandemic, tourism was one of New Zealand’s biggest money generators, with around 4 million international visitors annually contributing NZ $ 16.2 billion (US $ 11.2 billion) to the economy. .
Nash suggested that future visitors should follow his own example before embarking on exploring New Zealand’s rugged natural wonders.
“I always go before I leave the house,” he said.
