Gap year travel insurance could be a benefit for people planning to visit a solar-heated hostel in Geraldine, New Zealand.
The Timaru Herald reports that the Rawhiti Backpackers in New Zealand's South Island has had solar panels installed to heat its water supply more cheaply than the previous diesel-powered set up.
Owners Niroli Chris Richardson received assistance from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority in installing four separate solar panels on the roof of the hostel's boiler shed and could save up to $7,000 (£2,673) over the course of the next seven years.
Nathan Ross, solar spokesman for the authority, told the paper: "We looked for innovation fund projects that would provide examples to others in the same sector."
The authority provided the funding and the new development could attract a higher number of visitors, many of whom may have purchased
backpacker travel insurance.
Queenstown is one of the most popular South Island resorts and is renowned for its bungee jumping opportunities.
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