Key Takeaways:
- The Marlborough Sounds tourism industry is being severely impacted by restricted access road closures, with one operator reporting cancellations and declining visitor numbers.
- The road closures are part of the multimillion-dollar Marlborough Sounds Roads Recovery project, which aims to repair roads damaged by major weather events in 2021 and 2022.
- The project is expected to continue until 2026, with restricted access to key tourist routes during peak season.
- Local businesses and residents are calling for better communication and planning from the council to minimize the impact of the road closures on the tourism industry.
- The council says the road closures are necessary for the extent of repairs required, but is working to complete the project as quickly as possible.
Introduction to the Issue
The Marlborough Sounds tourism industry is facing a major challenge due to restricted access road closures, which are affecting the ability of visitors to reach popular destinations. One tourism operator, Portage Resort, is reporting a significant decline in bookings and visitor numbers due to the road closures. The resort’s managing director, Clare Davies, says that the team is "extremely distressed" by the continued road closures and is deeply disappointed that the work was not completed during the off-season.
The Impact on Local Businesses
The road closures are having a major impact on local businesses, which rely heavily on tourism during the peak summer season. Davies says that the resort has invested heavily in lifting its international profile, but the road closures are making it difficult to attract visitors. Many guests, particularly international travelers, do not have flexibility in their itineraries and are canceling their bookings altogether when they discover that they cannot reach the resort due to road closures. This is especially disheartening for the resort, as the peak season is crucial for its financial viability.
The Reason for the Road Closures
The road closures are part of the multimillion-dollar Marlborough Sounds Roads Recovery project, which aims to repair roads damaged by major weather events in 2021 and 2022. The project is being managed by Marlborough Roads, which says that the extent of repairs required cannot be done without the complete closure of the road. The transport recovery manager, Steve Murrin, says that the dry summer months are the most favorable conditions for the works, and that longer hours of daylight allow for longer working days.
The Council’s Response
Murrin says that the council has conducted several community meetings to keep residents informed about the schedule of works, and that the work schedule was slightly altered after feedback from residents. However, he also says that every time contractors need to move off the road to provide access, there is a cost to the program, and that it pushes the completion date of the program out, which adds cost to the program. The council is working to complete the project as quickly as possible, and is currently ahead of schedule, with a completion date of December 2027 instead of the original finish date in late 2030.
The Need for Better Communication
Davies says that the council should have consulted the Sounds community before starting the project, and that better communication and planning are needed to minimize the impact of the road closures on the tourism industry. She hopes that the council will take into account the needs of residents, visitors, and tourism operators who depend on safe and reliable access to the area. The council says that it is working to balance the needs of the community with the need to complete the repairs, but it is clear that more needs to be done to support the local tourism industry during this challenging time.
Conclusion
The restricted access road closures in the Marlborough Sounds are having a significant impact on the local tourism industry, with businesses reporting cancellations and declining visitor numbers. While the council says that the road closures are necessary for the extent of repairs required, it is clear that better communication and planning are needed to minimize the impact on the industry. The council must work to balance the needs of the community with the need to complete the repairs, and must do more to support local businesses during this challenging time. By working together, it is possible to find a solution that supports the local economy and ensures that the Marlborough Sounds remain a popular destination for visitors.