Environmental indicators of tourism impacts on natural West Coast assets, Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

We examined the environmental effects of visitor activities at three different natural assets (scenic icon sites, seabirds, and caves) on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand. To catalogue the effects of different visitor activities on these assets, and to identify indicators of environmental change in relation to the effects of these activities, we used a range of methods including modelling visitor impacts, close consultation with managers, literature reviews, and at one site we observed visitor behaviour. We analysed which site indicators of visitor effects were more widely applicable, and could be used as a basis for develping management guidelines for similar types of attractions elsewhere.