The regions most affected by Covid-19 are among the most beautiful in New Zealand

The increasingly long lines outside Fergburger might suggest otherwise, but New Zealand’s tourism sector is still in a fight for survival mode.

Tourism spending in the year to July 31, 2020 decreased in each of our regions, except Wairarapa, when it was divided into regional tour operator (RTO) regions, data from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment published this month.

The hardest hit regions of Fiordland, the West Coast, Queenstown and Dunedin, where spending decreased -22%, -20% -18% and -17% respectively, are also among the most beautiful.

The problem is not that no one wants to visit them, but rather that they relied heavily on foreign visitors or tourism in general before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Even with the domestic tourists they have received since the national shutdown ended, they are still in dire straits.

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Pay them a visit on your next break and you’ll be doing them a favor that will be paid many times over in terms of the adventures they offer. Of course, it helps that everyone is offering some pretty exceptional deals.

Fiordland

If you are looking for landscapes truly worthy of the epic word, Fiordland is your place: Fiordland National Park, which covers most of the region, was described by the United Nations as home to “superlative natural phenomena” and “exceptional examples of … the evolutionary history of the earth “. ”.

Within the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area, the region’s most famous natural assets include the Milford and Doubtful Sounds which, being two of Mother Nature’s greatest masterpieces, every Kiwi should visit at least once.

Don’t make the mistake, as many do, of thinking you can “do” Fiordland on a day trip from Queenstown. True adventurers, and indeed anyone who considers themselves a true traveler, delve into what is known as one of the great wilderness regions of the southern hemisphere. Do it on foot if you are fit enough (every self-respecting Kiwi bum has tackled the Milford, Hollyford and Kepler slopes or intends to do so) or take a road trip along the Southern Scenic Route or pretty much any other road or detour (each route is the scenic route here).

The Fiordland tourism website has great deals on both accommodation and activities. Highlights at this time include a two-night “romantic getaway” at Radfords on the Lake in Te Anau for $ 430 per couple, which includes handmade chocolates, bathrobes and candles to use in the hot tub and to go, and tickets. for Landscape: Shadowland – a short film at the Fiordland boutique cinema that takes you to parts of the region that you are unlikely to visit unless you have a private plane or helicopter.

Families may like the two-night “Family Weekend Package” at Explorer Motel and Apartments for $ 899, which includes trips to Doubtful Sound and Te Anau Glowworm Caves. If you have more cash to spend, you can save up to $ 7,000 on a three-night stay at the luxurious Cabot Lodge located on a 2,000-acre sheep farm that borders the national park. Evening drinks and canapes, hot breakfasts and dinners are included, as are experiences like a Milford Sound cruise followed by a picnic lunch on the Kepler Track.

Activity deals include up to 30 percent off Guided Great Walks and discounts and “kid-free deals” on Milford and Doubtful Sound cruises. The “Domaine Thomson Wine Night” at Fiordland Lodge on October 29 seems worth traveling alone – you’ll get a five-course dinner with matching wines from the family-run producer with vineyards in Otago and France for just $ 100 per person.

West Coast

As wild as the original Wild West in the United States (if not more so), the New Zealand coastline with the most (at least in terms of glaciers and ghost towns), is another one for bona fide explorers. And those who wish to stay away from strangers during the holidays.

While the region represents nine percent of Aotearoa’s land area, it is home to less than one percent of the population. As the regional tourism board says on its website, “the west coast has been practicing self-isolation for years.”

Surrounded between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, “the Coast” is also home to some of the most accessible glaciers on the planet (Fox and Franz Josef), one of the most important coastal routes in the world (Great Coast Road between Westport and Greymouth ), the Haast micro-region declared a World Heritage Site, and famous rocks piled up like pancakes. It also happens to be the starting or ending point of one of the world’s most scenic train journeys (the TranzAlpine) and is New Zealand’s only source of pounamu (greenstone).

There are some stellar offerings right now on the West Coast Tourism Board website that incorporate activities like scenic flights, speedboat rides, kayaking, and fishing excursions. A personal choice would be the “wow Fox Glacier Package,” which includes an overnight at Mt Cook View Motel Fox Glacier, a scenic helicopter ride over Fox Glacier, and lunch or dinner at the Wild West-style Cook Saddle Cafe & Saloon, all for $ 220.

Queenstown

It doesn’t seem like it was long ago that many of us complained that Queenstown had too many tourists. These days, even with really low bargains for locals, you can’t get enough. Yes, their ever-popular adventure activities, from alpine heliskiing to zip-lining, can pack during peak periods. And the lines outside of Fergberger seem to be getting longer (a pretty decent indicator of the health of the local tourism sector itself).

But with tourism spending reduced by nearly a fifth in the year through July 31, he still desperately needs our help. Fortunately, for both us and us, visiting it has never been cheaper.

A trip to the so-called Adventure Capital of New Zealand, if not the world, would not be quite right without increasing your heart rate by doing something daring. And narrowing it down again to a great meal at a fancy restaurant or a wine tour. The regional tourism board website has dozens of offers, with highlights including more than 50 percent off scenic flights over Mt Aspiring with Southern Alps Air, 30 percent off travel to locals from El Señor of the Rings with Nomad Safaris and, for something really make your Instagram followers envious: 20% discount on “jeep heli wine tours”

In terms of accommodation, Trelawan Cottages offers between 65% and 70% discount on stays of five nights or more and 40% discount on shorter stays, while Browns Boutique Hotel and Queenstown House Boutique Bed & Breakfast offer a 40% discount on direct bookings. Absoloot Hostel QT is offering up to 50 percent off private and shared rooms, and MajorDomo has a “Stay 4, Pay 3” offer at some of their most popular luxury villas and hostels.

Dunedin

Despite what your destination marketing team may say, Dunedin is much more than “a pretty good Plan D.”

The “quirky” campaign was designed to convince Kiwis that the city “can offer more or less the same” as overseas destinations, Dunedin City Council Marketing Manager Malcolm Anderson said in May. These include a local version of the Egyptian pyramids in the form of two small volcanic hills, Balinese-style beaches (“but, in wetsuits”), and similar attractions (“more or less”) of Edinburgh.

Its Scottish heritage, white sand beaches (some of which are home to sea lions and penguins) and the pyramids in the Okia reserve are undoubtedly among its main attractions. But, in reality, you don’t need to impersonate someone else to attract visitors. It’s a stellar little town in its own right, from the CBD with Victorian bluestone points to the wildlife-rich Otago Peninsula.

Offers for upcoming school holidays include free children’s entry at Larnach Castle, $ 10 cloud forest entry at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, half-price night tours to see kororā (little blue penguins), and $ 10 tastings at the OCHO artisanal chocolate factory.