Tourism concessions generated $51 million a year in Fiordland National Park, with a further $13 million in a flow-on effect to the Southland region, a Department of Conservation study has found.
The release of the study into the socioeconomic effects of Doc-approved commercial activity (concessioned tourism) on Doc-managed land at Fiordland, Tongariro and Abel Tasman national parks has come at the same time Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright announced her intention to release a report next year on commercial use of conservation land.
"We have to make sure that prosperity benefits posterity," she told the Federated Mountain Clubs' Conference on Monday.
Doc figures show in 2009-10 there were 453 concessions operating in Southland.
Doc researcher Mariska Wouters' study, from figures obtained in earlier research, showed the most "valuable" park visitor was one who could be encouraged to spend money in the area next to the park, particularly in gateway communities.
An economic impact analysis showed for every dollar spent in Fiordland's park, a further 30c was spent in the regional economy, she said.
It was estimated spending in the region increased by about $19 million as a result of the operation of concessions.
"The concessioned sector alone clearly makes a sizable contribution to the regional tourism economy."
Every concessioned tourism job, of which there were 320, led to a further 0.2 jobs.
"This represented nearly 10% of Southland's tourism employment and about one-third of the Fiordland tourism employment."
However, Ms Wouters said many operators thought too many concessions were awarded in the park areas.
Many felt that concession applications were rarely refused, creating pressure on natural and business environments.
They also felt that cost, compliance and process hindered the concessions management system.
As a result of the study, Ms Wouters recommended Doc develop a systematic approach to measuring the economic impacts of all tourism use of national parks.
As gateway communities and regions relied heavily on tourism, there needed to be greater integration of national park management plans with community and economic development, she said.
"It is important that a region's and national park's marketing campaign be aligned."
Destination Fiordland manager Lisa Sadler said the report was positive for regional tourism and recognised the input and value concessionaires made to the area. It also provided the industry with research and evidence on which to base its future.
However, concessions were only "one slice" of Fiordland's tourism industry, she said. Fiordland also had significant commercial activity such as road transport through the park to Milford Sound and the cruise ship industry which did not require concessions.
