David Shearer

Labour Tourism Spokesperson Kelvin Davis supports calls from the Tourism Industry Association for local government to do more to educate freedom campers as to what practices are acceptable to avoid a negative impact on community wellbeing and the environment.

"At a recent tourism meeting held up north I was surprised at the level of resentment expressed by some locals towards freedom campers.

"The locals complained about freedom campers parking up overnight on the side of the road, at risk from traffic movements, and abusing locals who tried to tell them to stay elsewhere. They were concerned about the campers leaving rubbish and other waste to be picked up

"I understand the locals' frustration," Kelvin Davis says.

"It has become a regular thing for me to berate locals who abuse tourists, but if the tourists, through sheer ignorance, trample on the dignity of local people and landmarks then conflict is bound to arise.

"Both central government and local governments across the country should demonstrate their commitment to the tourism industry by providing adequate visitor information and facilities, especially for waste disposal, to help prevent misunderstandings.

"Unfortunately many of our local council facilities such as public toilets are an embarrassment and i-sites that provide tourists with information about the areas they visit are often under-funded and under-valued by their local district council."

"A lot more can be done to protect the interests of locals, tourists and the environment," says Kelvin Davis.