Visitor Arrivals and the Environment

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Visitor Arrivals Reports

This paper examines the impact that a faster growth rate in visitor arrivals will have on three areas of
environmental concern on Rarotonga: solid waste, liquid waste and water. Sustainable solutions to prevent
effects on the environment are suggested and a timeline for achieving these estimated to show how
improvements to our infrastructure cannot happen overnight. The paper will then demonstrate why a growth
rate of 4% (the typical growth rate in tourist arrivals over the last 30 years) is more economically and
environmentally sustainable with respect to managing solid waste than the higher growth rate of 7% proposed. It will also argue for strict adherence to a requirement for all buildings to install roof-top water collection and storage. Finally the paper will show that a conservative density of tourist accommodation and residential development will enable maximum protection to the lagoon environment from liquid waste.