Geothermal tourism

The Waikato region is home to internationally important geothermal sites visited by both domestic and international tourists. Generally tourism has few negative effects on geothermal features, and with careful management effects can be minimised.

New Zealand is known world-wide for its geothermal attractions. Our geothermal features are major tourist attractions for both domestic and international visitors. The only other area equally well known is the Yellowstone National Park in the United States.

Most of New Zealand’s geothermal areas are found in the Waikato region. In 2001, there were more than two million visits to geothermal attractions in the Waikato region¹.

What the effects are

Generally, tourism has little negative effect on the geothermal resource. Geothermal tourism provides local employment, brings tourism dollars into the region, and aids New Zealand's foreign exchange balance. Geothermal tourism also promotes public awareness and support for preserving natural areas.

However tourism can affect some geothermal features:

• Pumice and gravel used on tourist tracks has spread across and changed fragile sinter surfaces.
• Pathways cut across sinter terraces, stopping regeneration.
• At Tokaanu, many of the geothermal pools are partially drained to stop them flowing across the tourist path.
• The ground surrounding Champagne Pool at Waiotapu is being eroded by foot traffic and the pool surrounds may collapse.

Find out more about the geysers and sinter springs in the Waikato region.

A sustainable industry

For tourism to be sustainable long-term we need to preserve and protect our geothermal attractions.

Tourist operators and other geothermal resource users can achieve this by:

• Making sure that the supply of geothermal fluid to surface features and to small-scale users isn’t affected when geothermal fluid is extracted from underground sources.
  
• Making sure that the materials used to build roads and tracks do not contaminate geothermal features; that the flow of geothermal water across sinter terraces is not diverted; and that foot traffic will not erode the land surrounding the features. The best way to do this is to use boardwalks above ground level, rather than paths.
  
• Preventing people from getting too close to geothermal features so that the features are protected from vandalism and accidental damage.

Footnotes

1. Luketina, K.M., 2002. Numbers of Visitors to Geothermal Attractions in the Waikato Region. 2002/05, Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton.