Countries all over the world are coming up with unique ways to help their tourism industry back on its feet. New Zealand’s Stewart Island is preparing to invite guests on trips later this year – for no fixed price.
Two tour operators are already on board. Stewart Island Adventures, a snorkelling and freediving company, as well as birding tour operator Beaks and Feathers will take clients on, expecting nothing in return except what clients can afford or feel they want to donate.
‘With COVID shutting down all tourism, we figured it would be a slow start getting back up and running for the island,’ co-owner of Stewart Island Adventure, Ollie Peckham told Lonely Planet.
‘Without international travels, our business has been cut right down. We really believe that NZ has the power to save its own economy, and we encourage Kiwis to travel around and see their own amazing backyard,’ Peckham added.
Stewart Island, also known as Rakiura in the Māori language (meaning ‘the land of glowing skies’) is known for stunning natural scenery. It’s one of the few places on earth where one can witness the Aurora Australis, or southern lights. It is also a birding haven and hiker’s paradise, with brown kiwi birds, Blue penguins and the rare yellow-eyed penguins waddling among the 280km of walking trails on the island.
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Image credit: Instagram/rightontrek
