A major focus of my work over the last year has been a research project that was delivered as part of the Milford Opportunities Project that focussed on cruise tourism in Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
The cruise industry, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally, has not been well researched for a wide range of historical reasons that include very limited access to data and study participants. So this was an extraordinary opportunity to try to advance an in-depth analysis of the costs and benefits of cruise tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a particular focus on the Southland region, the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area and Piopiotahi Milford Sound, which is undoubtedly one of – if not the – jewel in the crown of New Zealand tourism.
This project examined the economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions of cruise tourism, and was delivered in collaboration with Dr. Ya-Yen Sun (University of Queensland), Dr. Damien Mather and Mehran Kamali (University of Otago), Hannah McKeeman (University of Otago), Associate Professor Caroline Orchiston and Dr. Michelle Fitzgerald (Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago).
The recommendations of the Milford Opportunities Group are now with the relevant government ministers. The report will be made public when the current embargo is lifted in the next few weeks.
