Not just the closed borders but also the use of Rotorua by this Labour government for transitional housing in motels. A once welcoming tourist destination now is not inviting due to the influx of gangs and drugs as a result. Not just overseas tourists but New Zealanders are put off going to Rotorua.
- Richard C
Seems crazy to endure a lack of tourists for so long … Only to close as the borders slowly open ... should have at least tried to attract domestic tourists in the interim.
- David J
The pointless mess the Prime Minister has created will take years to recover (if it ever does). NZ's squeaky clean reputation as a destination of choice has been destroyed in two years. The rest of the world has found alternative places to spend their money, and many of them will never return - which means the country has just lost its most powerful marketing asset: word of mouth.
- Steve S
In reply to Steve S: Sounds like you've forgotten about the pandemic already. That's where the mess comes from, worldwide. Look around the world. New Zealanders aren't travelling and spending their money overseas either, and some of them never will again, but tourists not arriving or leaving is not personally the Prime Minister's fault.
- Philip H
I think it is just a convenient time for them to get out of this business. It is in a better position than other tourist based companies that are still hanging in there as being an iwi company it doesn't have to pay income tax.
- Justin T
One thing I noticed when travelling around NZ due to closed borders was the high price of all things tourism. Hence I made the assumption that they were aiming at the overseas and not local markets. Such a shame about Rainbow Springs. It's the perfect day out for young families. I was hoping it could pivot more to the domestic market.
Lucy G
- Republished comments may be edited at the editor's discretion.
