Tourism Holdings opts for eco-friendly campervans

Tourism Holdings said today it will spend $50 million to upgrade the quality of its campervans that will reduce the vehicles' emissions.

It will buy 370 vehicles for its Maui, Britz and Backpacker brands.

Chief executive Trevor Hall said environmental sustainability would become an essential attribute of the tourism industry which was responsible for nearly a 10th of New Zealand's economic wealth.

The THL order, placed with Mercedes-Benz, is understood to be the largest single motorhome order from the southern hemisphere for many years, Mr Hall said.

The first campervan would be on the road early next year.

- NZPA