Agrifood Tourism, Rural Resilience, and Recovery In a Postdisaster Context: Insights and Evidence From Kaikōura-hurunui, New Zealand

Abstract

On 14 November 2016 an earthquake struck the rural districts of Kaikōura and Hurunui on New Zealand’s South Island. The region – characterized by small dispersed communities, a local economy based on tourism and agriculture, and limited transportation connections – was severely impacted. Following the quake, road and rail networks essential to maintaining steady flows of goods, visitors, and services were extensively damaged, leaving agri-food producers with significant logistical challenges, resulting in reduced productivity and problematic market access. Regional tourism destinations also suffered with changes to the number, characteristics, and travel patterns of visitors. As the region recovers, there is renewed interest in the development and promotion of agri-food tourism and trails as a pathway for enhancing rural resilience, and a growing awareness of the importance of local networks. Drawing on empirical evidence and insights from a range of affected stakeholders, including food producers, tourism operators and local government,we explore the significance of emerging agri-food tourism initiatives for fostering diversity, enhancing connectivity, and building resilience in the context of rural recovery. We highlight the motivation to diversify distribution channels for agri-food producers, and strengthen the region’s tourism place identity. Enhancing product offerings and establishing better links between different destinations within the region are seen as essential. While such trends are common in rural regions globally, we suggest that stakeholders’ shared experience with the earthquake and its aftermath has opened up new opportunities for regeneration and reimagination, and has influenced current agri-food tourism trajectories. In particular, additional funding for tourism recovery marketing and product development after the earthquake, and an emphasis on greater connectivity between the residents and communities, through strengthening rural networks and building social capital within and between regions, is enabling more resilient and sustainable futures.

Place of Biocultural Heritage in Post Covid-19 Tourism Destination Choice

“…While on the one hand tourism business trying are keen to return to "business as usual" as soon as possible, on another hand global pandemic provides an opportunity to reset to a regenerative way (Fountain, 2022). Participation and interest in biocultural heritage, especially through food tourism, is growing globally (Fountain et al, 2020).…”

The future of food tourism in a post-COVID-19 world: insights from New Zealand

“…In this way, for some people, enjoying an ice cream in the park with family might constitute a memorable food experience worthy of the description of "food tourism". Participation and interest in food tourism is growing globally (Fountain et al, 2020). For food touristswhether they be international or domestic visitors, on an extended stay in a region or on a shorter excursionfood experiences offer the chance to test and taste new products and learn more about food provenance and historic and contempory production practices (Bj€ ork and Kauppinen-R€ ais€ anen, 2019).…”

“…Policy makers and tourism industry stakeholders also recognise the potential of food tourism as an anchor of regional development (Fountain et al , 2020). Food offerings can add diversity to a local economy and a point of difference to regional identity and destination image (Everett and Aitchison, 2008; Sidali et al , 2015; Sims, 2009).…”

“…Food and drink has long been an important avenue to highlight the authenticity of a place – think Toast Martinborough, the Bluff Oyster Festival and the Hokitika Wildfood Festival. The role of food tourism in regional destination strategies in New Zealand has become increasingly prominent in the last decade (Fountain et al , 2020; MPI Economic Intelligence Unit, 2018), and it is expected that this trend will continue, strengthened by the experience of the pandemic (Could food and drink save the tourism industry, 2020). Initial indications would suggest that this regional focus on food has increased, with new festivals and regional food strategies emerging since the pandemic emerged.…”

Accessing needle exchange services in disasters for remote areas of Aotearoa New Zealand

“…Rural areas in Aotearoa New Zealand have additional challenges for risk management, emergency preparedness, and resilience-building more generally as, for instance, limited infrastructural and technological capabilities than urban areas could mean people living in remote areas are unable to fully benefit from the resources made available after a disaster [ 56 , 57 ]. Moreover, remote living in Aotearoa New Zealand can hinder people’s ability to reach or be reached by emergency services [ 58 ]. This research seeks to add to disaster and healthcare literature by documenting what enables and constrains access to NEP services for rurally based PWID using the NEP mobile outreach service.…”