Cancellation hit to Dunedin economy

Government double standard

A FRENCH cruise operator’s plans to base a new vessel out of New Zealand later this year are in doubt following its cancellation of all local cruises this season.

The Government last week declined visa applications for twothirds of the crew of Le Laperouse, forcing the vessel — which was due in New Zealand this week — to mark time off the New Caledonia coast.

Yesterday, ship operator Ponant admitted defeat and cancelled the cruises.

Janine Mallon, of Travel Brokers Dunedin, said her firm had booked 10 people on to three different cruises and all of them were greatly disappointed at the cancellation.

‘‘We see in the media today that an international film crew has been allowed in; entertainers like The Wiggles are allowed in. It is a complete double standard and hypocrisy.

‘‘It’s not just the cruisers.

‘‘It’s the hit to the New Zealand economy, to the taxi drivers, to those who were going to supply the ship, to the hotels we had people staying in pre and postcruise, the hit to the Dunedin economy from losing the people who might have stayed on here after their cruise, and on it goes.’’

She knew several other local travel brokers had booked passengers on Le Laperouse and there had been bookings made by agents throughout the country for the domesticpassengeronly voyages.

‘‘We spent several thousand dollars promoting these cruises and had thought we had had a pretty successful campaign,’’ she said.

‘‘This has removed a lot of confidence from our industry, and also from international cruise lines and companies, in their ability to come to New

Zealand and meet changing government expectations, because this was seen as a test case.’’

The cancellation threw next season into doubt as well, as Ponant had intended to expand its offerings in New Zealand, Ms Mallon said.

‘‘They had planned to have a brand new ship operating out of here from November, with four cruises touching Dunedin six times by the end of December, and that is in jeopardy now.

‘‘I would imagine Ponant would be reluctant to take the Government’s word on anything right now.’’

The Ministry of Health had approved the cruises and all crew members had been in quarantine aboard Le Laperouse.

‘‘These people posed no health risk to New Zealand.

‘‘That was not the reason why they were declined,’’ she said.

‘‘What was in question was the application deadline for visas.’’

Applying for visas while on the way had been standard industry practice, and January 8 was probably the earliest day Ponant could apply for visas given the December 23 health ministry approval for the cruise and the Christmas break.

‘‘Where were they meant to apply? The Ministry of Immigration was closed.’’

Le Laperouse. had been scheduled to visit Dunedin four times.

Cruise Association chief executive Kevin O’Sullivan said the vessel would have generated $6 million worth of economic activity with its visit to New Zealand.

‘‘This cruel blow will be even more keenly felt within our harder hit regional communities,’’ he said.

‘‘Now, all opportunity has gone for this season and with it the small glimmer of hope that we all had . . . the industry has been abandoned by our Government.’’