A ‘reset’ of tourism? Not sure that will happen

YET another letter (ODT, 22.2.21) debating the collapse of the international tourist market.

The same old buzzwords appeared such as ‘‘reset’’ and ‘‘new normal’’, suggesting that postCovid will be a different world, and that we have a chance to avoid what we had before such as large cruise ships and mass tourism populated by people who did not hold the same environmental aspirations as some.

I see this as very unlikely.

We must remember that those who profited from mass tourism did very well until our borders closed last year. Why would they want to change?

It’s unlikely they would be hitting the reset button, especially as they have millions of dollars worth of assets awaiting the return of mass tourism.

I suspect the tourists themselves can’t wait to book a flight to our country, or a cruise or bus tour of New Zealand, especially now our ‘‘clean green’’ image has been enhanced by the way we dealt with the Covid19 pandemic.

There may be no logic to connect the two but I’m sure the tourism marketers will see a connection.

One of the reasons for the increase in mass tourism was because it was getting cheaper every year. People love a bargain. We saw this when discounts were offered on campervans in the weeks after the lockdown. Those who may never have thought of hiring a camper did so as there were good discounts.

As much as some people might want a ‘‘reset’’ of tourism, those people are unlikely to have a vested interest in the industry, an industry which was the biggest employer and earner for the country before the onset of the pandemic last year.

When things return to normal, it will not be a ‘‘new normal’’ but more of what we had before because it made a lot of money for a lot of people.

Brian Langley

St Leonards

Council costs

AT last the Dunedin City Council has got the message and is in the process,

I hope, of removing those stupid, crazy ‘‘concrete coffins’’ placed on the Mosgiel and Outram streets.

I would like to know how much the DCC has paid, and will pay, to get them installed and removed.

All I am interested in is the actual cost to be paid by us, Dunedin ratepayers.

I would also like to know whether this crazy idea was thought up by a DCC staff member or DCC councillors.

R. Bennett

Mosgiel

[DCC infrastructure services general manager Simon Drew replies:

‘‘The MosgielTaieri Safer School Streets project aims to provide a safer environment for children getting to and from school and encourage parents to let their children bike, scooter or walk to school.

‘‘The project was initiated following a request by the MosgielTaieri Community Board in 2018.

‘‘Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency is paying for 90% of the cost of this project as part of its Innovating Streets for People pilot fund. The plants cost $1687 (DCC’s contribution was $168). Installation of the trials (the entire work in Mosgiel/Outram) cost $31,000 (DCC’s contribution was $3100).

‘‘We received feedback from 280 people following our recent trial and we have listened. The majority of people didn’t like the planter boxes so they will be removed.

‘‘The community was concerned about the removal of a bus stop at the Mosgiel Medical Centre, so that will be reinstated. We also received feedback about where crossings and associated kerb buildouts were located, which we have taken on board and will change.

‘‘The DCC transport team will be at the Mosgiel Library to provide further information on the project between March 14. Please drop in to see us.’’] ..................................

BIBLE READING: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. — Isaiah 40.1.