Published on 17 Feb 2025

A Sustainable Approach to Visitor Management: Responsible Camping Strategy

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Stuart Beresford Senior Consultant Contact me

Queenstown Lakes District Council faced a critical challenge; of how to manage the return of international visitors after Covid-19, while addressing significant community concerns about camping impacts. With 57% of residents believing camping was ineffectively managed and environmental issues like improper waste disposal increasing, the Council needed a refreshed strategy that balanced tourism benefits with environmental protection. 

Allen + Clarke developed a principles-driven strategy that positioned visitors as environmental guardians rather than just tourists. Our approach moved beyond the traditional focus on minimising negative impacts to actively enhancing environmental outcomes through the analysis of existing strategies and bylaws and direct engagement with staff of the Council.

Delivering across four key areas

What we did


The refreshed strategy focused on aspirational outcomes rather than actions. We emphasised environmental regeneration over mere protection and incorporated te ao Māori concepts like manaakitanga to shape responsible camping practices. 

Our analysis revealed campers contributed significantly to the local economy, but existing infrastructure and funding models were inadequate. We identified opportunities for user-pays models and public-private partnerships to reduce ratepayer burden. 

  • Check mark Environmental Integrity - the strategy positioned visitors and operators as kaitiaki (guardians) rather than just reducing negative impacts. This reflected stakeholders' consensus that the environment needed enhancement rather than just protection.
  • Check mark Community Inclusion - We expanded the strategy's community focus to include residents, businesses and organized groups. This created multiple pathways for local voices to influence camping management and addressed community frustration about inadequate in
  • Check mark Enhanced visitor experience - the strategy created a framework for positive visitor experiences that aligned with sustainable practices and community values. We emphasised collaborative approaches between the Council, neighbouring authorities, and private
  • Check mark Resource efficiency - recognizing funding constraints, we prioritised actions that delivered maximum impact with minimal resources. We identified innovative funding approaches, including potential user-pays models and public-private partnerships to reduce
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Immediate and long-term benefits

The result


By incorporating regenerative tourism principles, the strategy positioned Queenstown Lakes District as a leader in sustainable destination management. 

Our practical approach ensured the strategy provided tangible guidance for implementation. We prioritised actions based on impact and resource requirements, creating a roadmap for sustainable camping management despite ongoing tourism uncertainty. 

  • Clear priorities for the upcoming season, focusing on five high-impact, implementable actions. 

  • A sustainable funding pathway reducing reliance on central government support. 

  • Improved stakeholder relationships through inclusive engagement processes. 

  • Enhanced environmental outcomes and more efficient resource allocation. 

  • Better visitor experiences and reduced community friction. 

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