Abuzz over Harry and Meghan

Speculation is rife about how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will spend their visit to Abel Tasman National Park, with tourism operators jostling to chaperone the royal pair.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to visit the national park on Monday, October 29, after jetting into Wellington the day before on the back of a visit to the Invictus Games in Sydney, and to Fiji and Tonga.

The newlyweds will also visit Auckland and Rotorua.

Communities around Abel Tasman were abuzz with talk of what the royal pair’s visit would entail since news of it broke on Monday, the owner of Abel Tasman Aquataxi, Brendan Alborn said.

So far, everyone appeared to be in the dark.

‘‘I’ve spoken with one of the other water transport operators, who’s been speaking to the other one, and nobody knows.

‘‘I think they’d be crazy not to go with Aquataxi, a ride on our smaller water taxis is a genuine, authentic Kiwi experience.’’

Other tourism operators were less optimistic the royals would have time to relax.

‘‘It’s an interesting challenge given the security that surrounds them, and I’m sure what they’re doing is not what they’d personally like to do,’’ chief executive of Wilsons Abel Tasman, Darryl Wilson, said.

‘‘The reality is it [the visit] will probably be two hours and quite a bit of hand shaking. And a couple of speeches,’’ said

Wilson, whose company operates walking, kayaking and cruising tours, as well as stays at beachfront lodges.

Wilson did say there would be space to land a helicopter at the Wilson family lodge at Awaroa.

‘‘All our resources are available for them if they want something exclusive, private, and certainly to showcase the region.’’

But he predicted the focus of the visit would be environmental.

‘‘Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust and Project Janszoon’s work fit very well within the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy conservation project,’’ Wilson said.

However it was ‘‘early days’’ with ‘‘no detail’’.

‘‘Everyone’s asking what, how, where and when?’’

If the royal couple did opt for a spot of kayaking, Abel Tasman Kayaks manager Tom Harlow wouldn’t turn them away.

‘‘I’m assuming they’d just take a private guided tour.

‘‘It can be weather specific, but we’d get them up to Shag Harbour, get them into see the seals in there, it’s real tranquil.’’

Meanwhile, boutique ecolodge Spilt Apple Retreat confirmed it had heard the pair were coming, but due to the privacy of its guests, would not say if the royal pair were going to stay there. Awaroa Lodge delivered a firm ‘‘no comment’’ when asked if they’d had word of the royals’ plans.

Nelson Regional Development Agency confirmed it had been contacted by hopeful tourism operators.

‘‘Good things come to those who wait,’’ said chief executive Mark Rawson, who was trying to find out who was responsible for the itinerary and security.

The agency had first heard about the visit through the media.

It was great news for the region, on the back of the successful first All Blacks test in Nelson on Saturday, Rawson said.