A Queenstown tourism heavyweight says a controversial tunnel proposal will arrest a serious decline in visitor numbers to Milford.
John Davies – major shareholder and chairman of Ultimate Hikes and NZSki – believes a $170 million tunnel planned by Milford Dart Ltd will revive Milford tourism by slashing the nine-hour return trip from Queenstown.
“It’s sad to witness the slow demise of a tourist icon,” Davies says.
The 11.3km coach-only tunnel – to run from the Routeburn Road just past Glenorchy to Hollyford Rd near Milford – would halve the travelling time.
Department of Conservation has agreed in principle to issue a consent to tunnel company Milford Dart Ltd, and is advertising for public submissions.
The proposal is vigorously opposed by Te Anau interests, who fear day-trippers from Queenstown will bypass their town.
Davies, however, believes day-trippers could still take in Te Anau on a round trip.
Davies – who stresses his companies don’t benefit from the day visitor market – says Milford numbers have been dropping for five years despite overall New Zealand tourist numbers rising.
Day visitor numbers dropped from 475,966 in 2007 to 432,578 last year, he says.
“In the current year, although it’s been difficult with the Japanese earthquake and everything, numbers are running at more than 15 per cent down from the corresponding period last year.”
Davies, in his submission to DoC, states: “There is no question that many modern tourists are a lot more mobile and question the time spent driving (or coaching) to Milford for nearly nine hours – half of which is spent travelling back over the same road.
“Over the last couple of decades there have been various options tabled – monorail, road access from Haast to Hollyford, and now a tunnel.
“All have tried to address the access problem that restricts real visitor growth to Milford.
“I am not qualified to talk about the safety, nor geological aspects, or the financial viability of a tunnel, but in the absence of any alternative, one has to support the project, as I believe it will address the decline in visitor numbers to Milford.”
Milford Dart managing director Tom Elworthy agrees a tunnel would boost numbers:
“At the moment, when everyone arrives at the same time there’s no capacity at Milford.
“In the peak season it’s full and it’s horrid.
“If you can spread them out, a lot more people can go there and have a better experience.”
DoC is expected to announce today (Thursday) an agreement in principle for a Milford monorail between Fiordland’s Kiwiburn and Te Anau Downs.
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