A new report suggests the pandemic could present an opportunity to make the sector less environmentally harmful, but some operators are not so sure
The Queenstown waterfront is quieter than normal for mid-February, except for the oncoming hum of the Hydro Attack: a high-speed, shark-shaped semi-submersible, zipping visitors around the bay.
The attraction, billed as “shark meets machine”, takes ticket-holders at up to 80km/h for NZ$155 a pop – and despite a dire year for New Zealand’s tourism industry, business has been better than expected, says operations manager Chris West.