For Whakatāne, White Island is a 'cornerstone tourism attraction'

Monday, 9 December 2019

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and police national operation commander Deputy Commissioner John Tims addressed the media about the Whakaari/White Island eruption.

White Island is marketed as one of the most accessible, active marine volcanos in the world and is considered a key promotional tool for Whakatāne.

The volcano erupted about 2.11pm on Monday, killing at least one person and injuring numerous others. With people still on the island, police have said more deaths are likely.

Following the 1995 and 1996 Ruapehu eruptions, an economic assessment put the impact at $130 million, including significant losses to tourism operators in the area.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa communications manager Ann-Marie Johnson said it was too soon to think about the impacts of the current eruption.

* Injuries reported as White Island volcano erupts in the Bay of Plenty

White Island, as seen from the air during an eruption on Monday which killed at least one person.

* One dead as White Island volcano erupts in the Bay of Plenty**

Speaking generally, she said White Island/Whakaari was a key attraction for Whakatāne that provided a lot of employment in the area, not only for tourism operators but for other businesses too.

'Certainly it is one of our more unique experiences.'

The volcano has been marketed by Tourism New Zealand as an iconic attraction, and is a massive boon for the local economy. Of the more than 20,000 people who visit the island each year, 80 per cent are international visitors, according to a Whakatāne District Council report.

More than 20,000 people a year visit the island, according to the Whakatāne District Council.

'The consistent message we are getting from industry experts is that White Island/Whakaari is the 'jewel in our crown' and that if we embrace this opportunity, it will provide a significant step change in Whakatāne's tourism economy,' the report says.

The report, a summary of the 2018-28 long-term plan, said the council had developed a tourism project around the island to investigate the economic opportunities of using it as a 'cornerstone tourism attraction and key promotional tool for Whakatāne'.

To travel to the island with operator White Island Tours costs $229 per adult.

Unlike the ash from Ruapehu, which caused widespread disruption, most of the ash from White Island is falling 1 or 2 kilometres away into the sea. It is unlikely more than a minor amount will reach the mainland, according to a volcanologist.

GeoNet raised the Volcanic Alert Level at White Island to level two on November 18, indicating heightened volcanic unrest and potential for eruption hazards.

Less than a week ago, GeoNet said observations indicated the volcano may have been entering a period when eruptive activity was higher than normal. Tours to the island were still operating.

GeoNet volcanologist Brad Scott said it was up to tour operators to monitor the situation and decide whether to continue operating.

Access to the island, which is private property, has been controlled through permits since 1995. The journey takes about 80 minutes by boat.