From page 1 // Region wants bigger bubble

plans to brief 600 Australian travel agents next week on how to sell the Marlborough experience.

Tupari Wines general manager Olivia Doonan said no business was the same as it was before the Covid-19 outbreak. ‘‘It’s forcing us to innovate.’’

More tourists in the region would be ‘‘hugely positive’’ for Marlborough’s economy, and the company was eager to open its Seddon cellar door as soon as it was safe to do so, Doonan said. It planned to do so under level 2, but was still working out exactly what operations would look like.

‘‘People still love wine. We have these amazing landscapes and incredible flavours . . . Once things settle down people will want to come and experience what we have here,’’ Doonan said.

Paul Keating, of Picton-based E-ko Tours, said the transtasman bubble was critical for the survival of tourism operators.

‘‘The cost of the overheads are going to be very hard to meet for the next six to eight months without having Australia in our bubble. Very soon we won’t be able to pay our rents,’’ he said.

Domestic tourism alone would not sustain their businesses, he said, but talk of the trans-tasman bubble allowed tourism operators to ‘‘breathe a sigh of relief’’.

Keating said his business would operate with reduced passenger numbers under level 2, to ensure social distancing could be maintained.

Pelorus Jet owner and operator Michael Tarrant said the trans-tasman bubble would be a ‘‘lifeline’’ for business.

He thought he would be able to recommence boat tours under level 2, and encouraged Kiwis to get out and have an ‘‘exhilarating experience’’.

Destination Marlborough general manager Jacqui Lloyd said she was feeling very positive after hearing the announcement that people would be able to travel between regions under level 2.

Destination Marlborough had been strongly advocating for opening borders with Australia when it was safe, as Australia was already Marlborough’s top international market.