[nickthemagicman]

Unless I'm missing your point I think that unspoiled natural feeling is the appeal.

It's still a little wild but not dangerous.

Why bother going there if it's just another strip of Hard Rock cafes, Holiday Inns, Tourist shops selling wallaby trinkets?

You could just save the plane ticket and go to Hawaii instead.. if motels and Hard Rock Cafes are what you want.

And that's what American developers will turn it into....evidenced by...every culturally exploited tourist city in America.

Because capitalism is most profitable catering to the lowest common denominator spring break middle American hordes who prefer the safety and comfort of an Applebees and Holiday Inn over the possible discomfort of something unpredictable.

Seriously, Hawaii and Cozumel have everything you're looking for.

[te_chris]

+1 if the Americans are unhappy because it's not a wasteland like America can be then I'm sure there's other places to go.

[pm90]

I think you are being rather unfair to the poster. I don't think (s)he is advocating an American style system exist in NZ; only that traveling is made much harder by the lack of it (and exactly how that is made difficult).

In fact, I think the "mom and pop" shops could do a win-win by investing in expanding capacity and providing better service to tourists.

Of course, that is slightly difficult if they don't want tourists. But in that case, it should be made clear to visitors...don't dupe them into coming to your country and then provide terrible service just because you can get away with it.

BTW America is not a "wasteland" by any means. Sure, there are many parts that are like that, but there are an equal number of incredibly beautiful natural sanctuaries. Actually I'm not even sure what you mean by that term.

[bitexploder]

Ya know, America is a huge place. We have vast tracts of unspoiled nature larger than many New Zealands put together. Sorry if this sounds defensive but it is. I think parent gets it, but for anyone who thinks tourism in America is only some consumer mass product... that is just wrong. The scope of America's wilderness is staggering. It always amuses me when "people" think they have to leave the country to see some unspoiled wilderness.