Visitor numbers fall in Fiordland after road closures and China travel ban

Thursday, 6 February 2020

People evacuated from flooding in Milford Sound arrive in Te Anau.

A double-whammy of flood-related road closures and coronavirus travel restrictions has put the brakes on a busy South Island tourist hotspot during peak season.

Torrential rain in Fiordland at the start of the week caused slips and flooding, with a number of roads closed, including the only route in and out of Milford Sound.

And on Monday the MetService issued its first ever red warning as 300-450 millimetres of rain fell, leaving hundreds of people stranded.

Milford Sound attracts tourists from around the world but visitor numbers have dropped this week.

One motel owner said they had lost thousands in cancellations, with visitors scared off by the threat of road closures and severe weather.

**READ MORE:

Southland declared a state of emergency due to flooding this week.

* SH1 closure angst causes rethink between Taupō and Tūrangi

The flooding in Gore in February was captured from above.

* The tourism boom is over, prepare for visitor numbers to flatline

* 'Worst summer in 24 years' as top of the south records January drop in guest nights**

Another hotel had two Chinese tour groups cancel as they were unable to enter New Zealand, as part of the efforts to prevent the spread of the global coronavirus epidemic.

SH6 between Queenstown and Kingston reopened at 3pm on Thursday. Until then tourists who wanted to reach Te Anau had to take the 317km route, via Gore.

Rescued trampers airlifted from Fiordland register at the Te Anau community centre.

Illeana Taylor, owner of the 23-room Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments, said a number of bookings had been cancelled, including one five-night reservation.

'We've definitely had cancellations, people are scared to come here in case the roads are closed.

'It's been a terrible time for the small business operators in Te Anau.'

There had been contradictory messages about what roads were open, she said.

'I've been getting constant emails from people asking if the roads are open or not.

'The sad thing is, Milford is only one thing to do in Te Anau. There are lots of other things here.'

She said although only about a quarter of her guests were Chinese, people from Europe who were travelling through China have had to cancel.

'We have been doubly hit. Anyone who has a connecting flight from Shanghai can't get here.

'February is the busiest month – normally we are fully booked throughout February and March.'

Andy Cunningham, manager of Fiordland Lodge in Te Anau-Milford Highway, said some guests had cancelled but others had changed their itineraries and stayed longer than first planned.

'We haven't been impacted too badly. We have had bookings and lost bookings … we are pretty even-steven,' he said.

'The businesses that rely on Milford Rd have been the worst affected.'

SH 94 is closed from Cascade Creek to Chasm due to extensive damage and is expected to remain closed until at least February 12.

New Zealand Transport Agency journey manager Peter Brown said it would take until the end of the weekend at least to work out when the Milford road could reopen.

There was still damage to the busy stretch of highway, and the most-damaged section would take 'some time to repair'.