Polynesian Spa | Rotorua New Zealand

 

Media Release
18th March 2011

 

Polynesian Spa CEO Speaks on Sustainability to Spanish Thermal Tourism Congress

 

The Managing Director of Polynesian Spa Martin Lobb has delivered a motivating address on sustainability to an international thermal tourism conference.

The only New Zealander invited to the International Thermal Tourism Congress in Ourense, Galicia, Spain, Mr Lobb was an invited speaker.  He was asked to present a paper on 4^th March (NZ time) on sustainability of thermal resources in New Zealand. 

“The congress was interested in what laws and regulation we have on the use of thermal resources, and how these are implemented and monitored,” he said.  “The Resource Management Act, and the way it is applied, as well as Environment Bay of Plenty’s Geothermal regional plan were of great interest to the audience.  Essentially, the group wanted to consider legislative and regulatory ways to conserve thermal resources.  Following the issues Rotorua had in the 1980s regarding the lowering of activity in thermal areas, and the consequent forced closure of bores, there was a lot for me to talk about.  Rotorua has proven that a thermal area can remediate some problems created by overuse of thermal resources, and continue to attract tourism because of its unique thermal offers.”

Mr Lobb also covered off the special place of thermal treasures in Maori culture and used the opportunity to showcase New Zealand, Rotorua and Polynesian Spa to an international audience.

“From my visual presentation, many attendees were certainly impressed on how active Rotorua’s geothermal activity was.”

Attending the congress were presenters from Budapest, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Chile, Japan, Switzerland, Iceland, Hawaii – to name a few.

“New Zealand is advanced in thinking and action about conservation of thermal resources,” he said.  “Our legislation – as much as it annoys and frustrates – has ensured the bar is high for newcomers to enter and use thermal resources.  Our resources are not applied without careful analysis,” he says.

Because some of his speech focused on New Zealand’s place on the ‘ring of fire’, he was asked about the Christchurch earthquake.

Mr Lobb said he offered assurance to conference goers that only a small part of New Zealand was affected by this earthquake.  “Any perception that the whole of New Zealand had been affected was quickly quashed,” he said.

 

Ends