RecConf2020 - Managing parks in a time of COVID - Steve Taylor

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Engagement in nature in the new context Recreation Aotearoa Conference 25 November 2020


Content

› A bit about DOC’s role › Visitors pre-COVID-19 › DOC’s experience during COVID-19 › Understanding our visitors



› 30% of New Zealand’s land area (8.7m ha) › 326 campsites, 967 huts, 13,429 km of tracks › 3 World Heritage Sites

DOC manages

› 13 National Parks › 44 Marine Reserves › 6 Marine Mammal Sanctuaries › 56 Nature Reserves › 3 Wilderness Areas › 91 Scientific Reserves › 53 Conservation Parks › 1536 Scenic Reserves › 1100 Concessionaires

National Park Conservation Land


Pre-Covid - Visitor numbers were on the rise


COVID brings a new context

August 2020 NZ tourism

Overall tourism activity is

expenditure is down by 15%

down compared to last

compared with August 2019

year & is lumpy (Data

(MBIE).

Ventures).

Looking at NZ data, overall activity is down. MBIE - NZ monthly tourism spend

Data Ventures – Tourism mobility index

Waka Kotahi (NZTA) research suggests domestic holiday / vacation intentions are down compared with actual trips for the same period last year.

NZTA – Intention to travel domestically


An increase in domestic demand is unlikely to fully compensate the drop in international visitors


In NZ, there was significant engagement in nature over winter. Comparing visitor activity in Winter 2020 to Winter 2019 at selected sites on public conservation land.


Visitation at DOC sites during COVID Alert Level 2 (AL2) Comparing visitor activity in AL2 vs similar period in 2019


2020/21 Great Walk bookings are strong, up 9%. Comparing all bednight bookings for 2020/21 to those for 2019/20 at the same time last year.


Adapting to the COVID-19 context DOC have put in place processes to respond to changing alert levels and potential COVID-19 carriers staying in DOC accommodation. These include cleaning procedures, adjusting occupancy and improved communications.


Under Alert level 3 and 4 DOC:

Managing the Conservation Estate during COVID-19 Alert Levels

Initiated a national scale Incident Management Team to respond to escalating COVID alert levels Connected people to information through a wide range of communication channels Ensured visitor and staff safety COVID-19 is a top a priority for us. The All of Government approach ensures our guidance is continually improving and based on Health orders approved by the Ministry of Health.


Understanding our Visitors • DOC has been developing a clearer picture of our visitor segments • Outlines the different preferences across Aotearoa’s population and how they like to engage in nature and the outdoors • Helps us understand how to be more visitor-centric

© Department of Conservation, 2020. NB: Characteristics include average age and people ‘more likely’ to fit each segment. Not all in a segment have these characteristics.


Under 30 1. 2.

Decision making by life stage Recent research has given us a better picture around motivations and barriers

3.

Safe for me / my family 74% How much it costs to get there 68% How much it costs to stay there 68%

4. Has useful facilities 65%

30Safe44 for me / my

family 80% How much it costs to stay there 69% Has useful facilities 68% How much it costs to get there 68%

5.

Not crow ded 59%

Family Friendly 62%

6.

The time it takes to get there 56%

Quiet/tranquil 59%

45Safe59 for me / my

60+

family 81%

Safe for me / my family 79%

Has useful facilities 70%

Has useful facilities 71%

Not crow ded 68% Quiet/tranquil 67% How much it costs to stay there 66% How much it costs to get there 63%

Quiet/tranquil 71% Not crow ded 67% How much it costs to stay there 61% How much it costs to get there 54%

Safety was the most important factor across all ages. The cost of getting to places was the second most important factor for the under 30s, whereas this was the least important factor for people who were 45 plus. As some places may have a stronger appeal to specific age groups, they may need to be managed accordingly


› Beaches & water activities & short walks Beaches & short walks are popular planned tourism activities for New Zealanders. Waka Kotahi (NZTA) – COVID19 impacts survey

(less than 3 hours) appear poised to receive the most tourist traffic in the next six months.

› Around 4/10 NZers who were likely to

travel, indicated they were likely to do a short walk or undertake a beach/water activity.

Likely domestic tourism activities of DOC interest in the next six months.


› Auckland, Bay of Plenty &

Auckland, Bay of Plenty & Otago could be the busiest regions over the next six months. Waka Kotahi (NZTA) – COVID 19 impacts survey

Where NZers who are planning to undertake a specific activity may travel by region.

Otago are the most popular regions for those New Zealanders planning to travel with any of the prompted specific activities in mind.

› For those living in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato & Canterbury, neighbouring regions top the list of expected regional destinations. Note, Waka Kotahi (NZTA) had included Coromandel as part of Bay of Plenty instead of Waikato.


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