Industry associations have praised the decision, saying the government’s decision ends years of uncertainty.
Cruise ships will continue to have access to New Zealand’s Milford Sound fjord, New Zealand Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Louise Upston has announced.
The news is part of an initial tranche of decisions from the Milford Opportunities Project – an exhaustive eight-year review which set out to assess the impact of growing visitor numbers in Milford Sound and surrounding access corridors.
This review included the release in 2021 of a Milford Sound Master Plan, which recommended a ban on cruise ships entering the fjord’s inner harbour.
Instead, the government will invest NZ$15.2 million (A$14.1 million) to upgrade infrastructure and enhance conservation efforts to sustainably grow a tourism asset which it says attracts more than one million guests and NZ$200 million (A$185 million) into the regional economy.
The New Zealand Cruise Association welcomed the decision, saying it is pleased four years of uncertainty was now resolved.
“Today’s announcement provides much-needed certainty and will support regional tourism planning and investment,” the association said.
CLIA Australasia added the cruise industry is committed to protecting Milford Sound’s unique environment and cultural significance as one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural assets.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Cruise Weekly.