Business slows across the straits
Passenger business across Cook Strait has been “a bit softer than we expected”, according to the general manager of the Interisland Line, Thomas Davis.
“Maybe people spent their money on the Rugby World Cup” he suggests, “many New Zealanders spent quite a lot of money - only so much is possible, and we’ve also wondered whether perhaps it could have been pre or post election jitters”.
Davis says it’s hard to say why, but both the local and international markets are weaker overall, although the Christmas rush is now here and he’s expecting it to be busy for a fair while.
He says the international market has been soft since the RWC and thinks many people who would ordinarily have come to New Zealand over the summer might have come earlier to take in a match or two.
Davis points to news stories saying people are spending less and saving more, and reiterates “once it’s spent, it’s spent”.
Strait Shipping’s Wendy Pannett says they are expecting another busy summer from both a freight and Bluebridge passenger perspective.
She says sailings are mostly full to capacity over the Christmas New Year peak period, and they’re expecting another steady season beyond that, and adds that the new Straitsman, with its extra capacity is a welcome addition to the fleet.
“Maybe people spent their money on the Rugby World Cup” he suggests, “many New Zealanders spent quite a lot of money - only so much is possible, and we’ve also wondered whether perhaps it could have been pre or post election jitters”.
Davis says it’s hard to say why, but both the local and international markets are weaker overall, although the Christmas rush is now here and he’s expecting it to be busy for a fair while.
He says the international market has been soft since the RWC and thinks many people who would ordinarily have come to New Zealand over the summer might have come earlier to take in a match or two.
Davis points to news stories saying people are spending less and saving more, and reiterates “once it’s spent, it’s spent”.
Strait Shipping’s Wendy Pannett says they are expecting another busy summer from both a freight and Bluebridge passenger perspective.
She says sailings are mostly full to capacity over the Christmas New Year peak period, and they’re expecting another steady season beyond that, and adds that the new Straitsman, with its extra capacity is a welcome addition to the fleet.
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