Under this initiative, TIA will offer small and medium sized tourism operators in Wellington and Auckland a free energy efficiency package worth $3,000 that will include a free energy assessment by an EcoSmart electrician and a subsidy to install the assessment’s recommendations.
TIA and EECA have launched the initiative as extension of their partnership project the Tourism Energy Efficiency Program (TEEP), introduced in 2008 to provide practical assistance for tourism businesses to reduce their electricity consumption, fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
TIA expects this new initiative to help the New Zealand businesses cut 20% or more off their energy costs through smarter energy use, and many of the measures that will be recommended for implementation at little or no cost.
TIA CEO Tim Cossar said that running an energy efficient business can also give tourism operators the edge over their competitors and position them as responsible operators, particularly important as New Zealand gears up for an influx of international visitors for Rugby World Cup 2011.
“Later in the year we will also offer subsidies for members to undertake driver training through the New Zealand Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving program. These sorts of driver training programs can result in fuel savings of up to 10%,” Cossar said.
