Tourism operators fear the suspension of a Coromandel ferry service will hurt businesses right through until next summer.
That's after Fullers360 said it made the "tough decision" to suspend its Auckland to Coromandel service because of staff shortages. The ferry used to depart from downtown Auckland travelling through Hauraki Gulf before arriving near Coromandel town.
Coromandel town locals, like Kelvin Robinson from Tidewater Motel and Tourist Park, rely on the ferry.
"It's a big shock for the town because we rely on that to fill us up. Especially over those summer months," Robinson said.
It's now a summer season that looks uncertain.
"For some people it probably will be make or break for them."
Coromandel Oyster Company owner Anne Lowden shares the same concern.
"I think it’s going to be a massive blow to Coromandel town and the region that Fullers have decided to pull out completely," she said.
Lowden has owned the Coromandel Oyster Company for 16 years. Over that time, she's seen the growth in what the ferry service has brought to the town she calls home.
"When they are coming into the harbour, they are amazed by how beautiful and clean the area is they are excited. They jump on the ferry in Auckland, [they] don't have to drive here."
It's a service that Destination Hauraki/Coromandel's Hadley Dryden said brings the cream on top in terms of tourism.
"You get those bread and butter with those people driving through with the tourists. It's those Fuller ferry tourists that stay longer and spend more money."
Fullers360 said like all transport and tourism operators in New Zealand, it's facing a large industry-wide shortage of skilled employees.
In a statement, the company said the shortage has led to reduced ferry timetables across its network and the decision to put the Coromandel service on hold until staffing levels allow for it to resume.
Fullers360 said it understands the decision has a flow-on effect and it's a last resort. It said it's doing its best to find solutions.
"Fullers not being able to promote Coromandel as a destination through that blue highway... that will be something that will have an effect for a longer period," Dryden told Newshub. "There are sort of multiple effects that we will feel right now and then a little bit longer through towards next summer."
It comes at a time when there's a lack of transport options for backpackers to visit Coromandel town.
"The intercity bus comes into Thames now. If people want to come up from Thames they have to either get a taxi or hitchhike or try and get a ride some other way," Robinson said. "They don't do the loop like they used to."
That's hitting Robinson in the pocket.
"We are predicting our loss will be between 20 to 30 thousand dollars on our backpackers' side.
For a season that's meant to be the money earner, now it's a wait-and-see as to who comes to visit."
