Mount Maunganui’s Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers harnesses the power of its guests to contribute to the environment.
Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers has launched environmental initiatives for its guests including monthly ‘clean teams’, native tree planting opportunities, and educates them on how to consciously travel in New Zealand.
Guests are encouraged to join the ‘clean teams’ to pick up rubbish in the community and to consciously reduce, reuse and recycle to minimise waste. As members of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful organisation, Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers owner Sarah Meadows says that creating and encouraging participation in the environmental initiatives was an easy decision to make.
“My husband Matt and I are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and so, of course, we expect our guests to also do their bit to leave the Bay of Plenty in a better position than when they arrived.”
“We work hard to protect this beautiful country for the benefit of not only New Zealand’s children, but also travellers and their children. We want future generations of Kiwis and travellers to be able to experience the beauty of New Zealand.”
Guests at Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers are educated about sustainability and conservation efforts in New Zealand and encouraged to partake. Guests of more than 90 days have the option to plant a native tree through national conservation charity Trees that Count. The long-established tourism business has adopted a Kiwi and sponsored a trap through the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust to help the protection of native birds.
Tourism Bay of Plenty Chief Executive Officer Kristin Dunne says she “fully supports” the environmental efforts and encourages other businesses to uptake similar programmes.
“The Bay of Plenty is blessed with pristine natural environments, but they are only able to be kept pristine through the hard work of people like Sarah, Matt and their guests.”
“I fully support the environmental responsibility Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers asks its guests to take on board and hope other tourism industry businesses also become kaitiaki for our region. We need to ensure the protection of our place for locals and visitors.”
“Tourism Bay of Plenty is a Destination Management Organisation because we want to ensure regenerative management of the region. We want to achieve a balance between tourism growth and protection of our taonga.”
Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers has pledged its commitment to the Tiaki Promise and encourages its guests to also commit to protect New Zealand for future generations.
The business has also signed up to Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment. The business is operated with a minimal environmental impact through biodegradable cleaning products, using local products, LED lights, low water usage appliances and taps, and an onsite recycling scheme.
