INTERNATIONAL tourism researcher Dr Michael Luck says South Africa should prioritise local benefits and environmental sustainability as it develops its tourism industry.

Luck, from New Zealand, was chairman of the Coastal and Marine Tourism (CMT) Congress in Auckland in 2007. He is in Port Elizabeth for CMT 2009, which starts tonight.

He said the New Zealand government had tried for years to increase its annual 2,5 million in-coming tourists to three million but the strategy was recently reformulated in line with the views of the Kiwi public.

“They didn‘t want more tourists. Rather, they wanted tourists who were going to be interactive, who stayed longer and spent more and who were interested in and respectful of our country.”

He said they did not want three-day tours, which put pressure on the environment and services.

The newly adopted spend criteria did not mean New Zealand was pushing for exclusive tourism only, he said.

“We have a booming backpacker market and we want to retain that.

“Although backpackers may not spend as much per day, they often stay much longer, so it adds up.”

He said backpackers often stayed in local accommodation facilities instead of international hotels.

In some African countries a “leakage” of revenue was a serious phenomenon and up to 90% of the money paid to international hotels was lost to where the hotel group was based.

“As South Africa looks to develop its coast it would be an excellent strategy to factor in these and other matters related to sustainability.

“Your government should consider giving incentives to establishments that employ and train local people, providing them with management opportunities, without just reserving these positions for ex-pats.

“Incentives could be offered to establishments that build with local materials, install eco-friendly sewerage systems and source produce from local farmers.”

A wide range of delegates annually attend the CMT.

Delegates at the sixth congress, taking place in PE until Friday, will include sociologists, ecologists and representatives from NGOs, business, industry and parks.