West Coast tourism operators are excited about New Zealand’s borders fully opening on July 31, but the support of domestic tourists over the past couple of years will not be forgotten.
“We are so excited about our borders finally opening up, it has been a really difficult couple of years. I think it is important to acknowledge that domestic travellers have been our saving grace during the pandemic, and we want to continue to welcome Kiwis to this wonderful, untamed natural wilderness,” says Development West Coast destination and tourism manager Patrick Dault.
“Even before COVID, Kiwis have made up 50 percent of West Coast visitors. We want to continue to be attractive to travellers. Part of this is finding the right balance between welcoming both international and domestic visitors and making sure to not return to the mass tourism we experienced pre-pandemic.”
Dale and Bronwyn Burrows run Franz Josef Wilderness Tours, offering Kayak Tours, Scenic Boat Tours or Fishing Charters.
“Before the pandemic, domestic travellers only made up around five percent of our bookings. Today we see six times more Kiwis traveling the Coast and booking our product. They are who kept not only our business, but many others alive and we are more than grateful for that.”
“With the rising opportunities for travellers to see the Coast as beautiful as ever, we want to make sure that the West Coast will be part of domestic and international traveller's itineraries. ‘Follow the road less travelled by’ is quite literally what we aim for,” says Patrick.
“I don’t expect to see a massive, sudden spike in visitor numbers as of next week. However, the border opening marks a milestone we have all been waiting for. Many operators and hotels are planning for their reopening for the first time in two years. I am not only thrilled for local businesses, but for Kiwis as they will be presented with way more options to see our beautiful Coast.”
Research carried out by DWC found that one third of Kiwis have never visited the West Coast, but 92 per cent of those who had been before want to return. The region is seen as one of the country’s great wilderness areas and has become a ‘bucket list’ holiday destination.
“Most travellers who come down to the West Coast return,” say Dale and Bronwyn.
“Apart from Christchurch locals, we see many Aucklanders' coming down a second or third time after falling in love with the Coast on their first visit.”
“People just need a nudge in the right direction,” says Patrick.
“We are up against a number of well-trodden and widely recognised NZ holiday destinations such as Queenstown, Christchurch, Nelson. We might be lesser known, but we loom large in the imagination, and have stunning landscapes to explore, including a number of spots that can become our Wanaka tree.”
Michael Nolan at HeliServices.NZ, providing a diverse range of South Island scenic helicopter flights and private charters, is delighted to see international borders opening but does not expect an immediate spike in booking requests in the first week of August. Over the past two years, the company has relied on Kiwi travellers, the local community including hunters, the Department of Conservation and other local and national agencies.
“At the start of the pandemic in 2020 we had to reduce staff numbers from 38 to 11 within a month – we certainly struggled these past years. We saw a noticeable update in bookings after the travel bubble to Australia opened, the international border opening is a true glimpse of hope for us,” says Michael.
The West Coast region was hit hard by the pandemic and international border closures, with total visitor spend in Glacier Country down to 70 per cent from pre-pandemic times.
DWC is focussed on ensuring that international travellers and Kiwis keep visiting the beautiful, rugged, untouched West Coast as international tourism resumes.
