A spokesperson for New Zealand's tourist bus, coach and shuttle industry says it is severely suffering from a lack of support from the Government as it's decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CEO of the Bus and Coach Association Ben McFadgen said each and every operator that closes is "another nail in the coffin" for Aotearoa's tourism industry.
"Many operators are regional businesses and are the lynchpin of a healthy and thriving tourism sector. Without them, no matter how much money is targeted at destination tourist operators, it won't make a blind bit of difference if people can't get to these destinations," McFadgen said.
The Minister for Tourism, Stuart Nash, has "shown little empathy" for the plight of industry operators, McFadgen said.
"These are small to medium sized businesses, often family businesses, passed down through generations and run by regular, hardworking kiwis. They are a fundamental cog in New Zealand's economy."
McFadgen asserts it's "all too clear" that tourist bus and coach operators aren't a part of the Government's future vision for tourism in Aotearoa.
"This is devastating for tourist bus and coach operators, who have been fundamental to New Zealand's previous tourism success," he said.
Stuart Nash's office has been contacted for comment by Newshub.
