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New Zealand’s leading tour operator Skyline Enterprises has laid off at least 500 employees as it struggles to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Executive Geoff McDonald said that after spending the past 10 days consulting on a restructuring proposal, the company informed staff of the job loss on Monday.
Skyline’s different portfolios include gondola and luge operations in Queenstown and Rotorua, Christchurch Casino, hotels in Dunedin and Queenstown, as well as offshore operations in Korea, Singapore and Canada.
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McDonald said that of the company’s staff, which fluctuated seasonally between 1,000 and 1,200, more than half of its workforce at a range of levels would be laid off.
“It is devastating for the people who are losing their jobs, but they have been really cool and understanding. A little bit of that is that they are seeing what is happening around them … although it does not alleviate the impact for them, it gives them a little perspective. I am incredibly proud of how they responded. “
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Geoff McDonald, CEO of Skyline Enterprises.
Since Tier 4, the company had been working on what the world would be like after closing.
“Clearly for tourism, this is a challenging environment … I am making noises about the trans-Tasmanian bubble, and clearly we would love to see some domestic travel below level 2. If that does not happen, it will be difficult for us to open .. We will do our best to open, even with the skeleton staff, especially for Queenstown, where the gondola is an iconic attraction. “
Despite the uncertainty and being unable to plan ahead, McDonald was confident that the business would recover.
Joe Johnson / Things
The Casino is closed and empty in the center of Christchurch on the first day of level 4.
“We believe we will recover and return to really good visitor levels … Our history is linked to the rest of Queenstown, and we have a vested interest in making sure the city remains vibrant and viable. We know that there is nothing wrong with the product, only that the tap has been turned off. “
The company had suspended several of its international developments. However, he hoped to be able to continue with the $ 26 million Queenstown redevelopment of the O’Connell Mall and the $ 200 million Queenstown gondola / restaurant remodel, he said.
Iain McGregor / Stuff
Looking out over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu from the gondola on the horizon. (file photo)
“Decisions on the exact details have yet to be made. We have asked for support to complete them and, if we can, this will be very positive for jobs in Queenstown. ”
Last month, Ngāi Tahu Tourism announced that it could lay off 300 workers.
Te Rūnanga or Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere (President) Lisa Tumahai said in an email that the measure, which would cut Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s 500-person workforce in half, was necessary because the company had been badly affected by Covid-19.
Its 14 businesses had gone into “hibernation” and were being closed.
DASHA KUPRIENKO / Things
Ngāi Tahu Tourism has announced that it can fire 300 workers.
They included high-profile attractions like Shotover Jet in Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier Guides, Agrodome and Rainbow Springs in Rotorua, Dark Sky Project in Tekapo, and All Black’s Experience, which will open in Auckland mid-year.
Queenstown Chamber of Commerce executive director Anna Mickell said that while waiting for unemployment data from the Ministry of Social Development, the city was preparing for “hundreds” of layoffs over the next month.
