Hostel boss gets on his bike to practise what he preaches

Mark Wells. Photo / Dean Purcell

Some travel by private jet, others by limousine - but one Kiwi chief executive will be using pedal power to get to his annual general meeting this week.

Christchurch-based Youth Hostel Association chief Mark Wells plans to trade his suit for lycra to cycle six days from Wellington to Rotorua for the annual meeting on Friday.

The 52-year-old Wells, who admits he is not a fan of cycling, is joining two other board members and 12 others for the 550km ride to fundraise for a new 54-bed eco-hostel on Stewart Island.

Wells said the YHA, an incorporated society which is the largest hostel group in the country, had a long commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism and cycling was one way to put that into action.

While he was not trying to get CEOs on their bikes, he said it was important for the tourism sector to be living up to New Zealand's 100 per cent Pure brand.

"I think what we would encourage particularly in the tourism sector is a commitment to responsible tourism in real ways."

Wells hopes to raise $50,000 through the ride towards the $5 million cost of the new hostel, which includes an education facility and will be the 53rd in the group's network in New Zealand.

He said YHA saw Stewart Island as an emerging destination rather than a "tourism hotspot" but it had a unique natural environment. YHA was still in the process of getting resource consent but hoped the new hostel would be completed by November 2012.

Wells said he had been training for the cycle ride but it would definitely take him out of his comfort zone.

"The more I do it the more I hate it."

The group expects to reach Rotorua on Thursday afternoon and will make the most of the thermal baths before the meeting on Friday.

Wells said the tourism industry had gone through a tough year and although signs of a pick-up were emerging YHA was not expecting the usual strong summer.