NZ train tours focus on level 1

The tourism sector has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the collapse in international tourism is threatening the future of our great railway getaways.

Though much of the country returned to work at alert level 2, passenger train operators like the worldfamous TranzAlpine will not resume work until at least level 1.

That’s due to both the practicality of operating under level 2 guidelines and that at the moment, the demand for these journeys is not there.

The Great Journeys of New Zealand is the tourism division of KiwiRail that run its scenic railway tours.

Those include the Coastal Pacific, from Picton Station to Christchurch, and the Northern Explorer, which runs from Auckland to Wellington and stops at tourist favourites like Hobbiton and the Hamilton gardens.

National Geographic previously rated the TranzAlpine from Greymouth to Christchurch as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world.

Kiwirail group chief executive Greg Miller would not breakdown exact figures, but said ‘‘a large proportion’’ of those who typically take the tours were foreign tourists.

‘‘Social distancing requirements, including restrictions around food service, make it impractical to operate scenic train services such as the TranzAlpine at level 2,’’ Miller said.

‘‘In addition, there is insufficient demand to make services viable ... overseas tourists are important to the long-term viability of the scenic train services.’’

Even when the country moves to level 1, it’s unlikely all the Great Journeys will be full steam ahead without the international market to fill the carriages.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Stephen England-Hall felt that now was the time for Kiwis to get out and see New Zealand, while the borders were closed.

He said trains were a great way to see the country and help kick-start the domestic tourism economy again.