Online protestors oppose World Heritage tunnel
New Zealand tourism operators fear one of the world’s last great wilderness destinations, the World Heritage Fiordland national park, will be spoiled by the construction of an underground bus tunnel through the area.
A private company plans to build an 11km bus tunnel in New Zealand’s Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks, both situated in the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.
The tunnel would be for the use of buses to take tourists from Queenstown to the Milford Sound.
Tourism groups believe the World Heritage status of the region is under threat because of the project and have joined an online protest aimed at halting the development.
Local resident Patricia Ko started a petition on Change.org, which has been signed by more than 9,500 people.
Each time the petition is signed, an email is sent to Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson, who has the final decision on the project.
Ko said the Milford Dart tunnel project was putting at risk New Zealand’s "100% Pure" brand.
"Putting a bus tunnel through this world heritage area is akin to building a chairlift to the top of Ayers Rock or putting a parking lot on top of the Great Barrier Reef," said Ko, who lives in Glenorchy, the town known for its backdrops used in the Lord of the Rings, Hobbit and Narnia films.
Several tourism operators in the region are backing the petition.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive