The Government is endlessly inventive in finding new
ways to cock up its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Its latest brainwave was
to pack busloads of newly arrived travellers from foreign pandemic hotspots off to
Rotorua after hotel space ran out in Auckland.
Presumably Rotorua was chosen because there’s plenty
of accommodation there. But hang on: the reason there’s lots of accommodation
in Rotorua is that it’s a popular holiday destination, and the school holidays
are approaching. Didn’t anyone stop to consider the possibility that filling
local hotels with people under quarantine might deter families from visiting the
city just when we’re being urged to support domestic tourism and Rotorua
tourism operators are desperate for business?
I must declare an interest here. I recently booked
several nights’ accommodation in Rotorua during the school holidays so we could
take our grandsons there. We were planning to do all the touristy things: the Skyline
Luge, the Polynesian Pools, a 4WD trip to the top of Mt Tarawera. Suddenly I’m
wondering whether it’s wise, given that three Rotorua hotels are full of people
who may be carrying a potentially lethal virus, including one confirmed case.
Theoretically we should be safe, since the hotels are supposedly are under
tight lockdown; but who can have confidence in the quarantine arrangements
after the fiasco in Auckland?
It’s no surprise that the local tourism industry is
apprehensive, with Rotorua Tourism CEO Andrew Wilson saying he hopes people won’t
be deterred from visiting. You have to ask: was Rotorua really the only
alternative? After all, Hamilton is much closer to Auckland and doesn’t exactly
loom large on school holiday wish-lists. Wouldn’t that have been a better
choice?
We decided to stick to our plans because we don’t
want to disappoint the grandsons. One of them is fascinated by volcanoes and keen
to see where Mt Tarawera had its guts ripped out in 1886. We’ll just have to
revert to our own personal Level 2 precautions and hope the quarantine arrangements don’t
turn out to be as laughably porous as they were in Auckland.
6 comments:
Just go and enjoy yourselves. I envy you your grandchildren. They will love the luge. Be prepared for deep pockets.
And for the grandson fascinated by the Tarawera eruptions don't miss https://www.buriedvillage.co.nz/
Look on the bright side Karl. The fact that Rotorua is now hosting quarantine facilities means there's no chance you'll run into David Clark to spoil your holiday.
Just enjoy it with the grandkids Karl. You will all have a great time.
I recommend a night walk in the tree tops of the Redwoods, and also Hell's Gate.
And the boys must have a go on the luge.
Lots of fun things to do in Rotorua.
Enjoy the break. =)
Lindsay, Doug: Thanks for those suggestions. I know we'll come home poorer, Lindsay, but we aim to make the most of these holidays with the grandsons, knowing there will soon come a time when they won't want to go away with us.
Good on you Karl.
Yes - you will come home "poorer" in money, but you will come home richer in soul and spirit.
And most of all - those grandies will come back with wonderful memories and love for their grandparents.
Let them loose when they don't want to accompany you - but you will always be in their hearts.
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