Helicopter leaving Franz Josef Glacier. Scenic Hotels West Coast general manager Alexander Tschampel said they reached 50 percent of their usual business for two to three weeks over summer. They've had to cut roughly 80 percent of their staffing and put one of their Glacier Country hotels into hibernation. $382m drop forecast for West CoastThat's the same grim picture painted by a survey from Development West Coast which forecasts the GDP contribution will be down by more than $382 million over the next four years. Glacier Country businesses have invited the minister to visit with hopes that help isn't too far away.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2021 20:48 UTC