16 Nov 2013

Ferry restrictions could hurt travel plans

6:46 am on 16 November 2013

Positively Wellington Tourism says travel plans could suffer this summer because of a restriction on bookings on Interislander ferries.

Interislander has stopped taking vehicle bookings for its ferries until at least the end of January and says it could take six months until passenger sailings return to normal.

A propeller came off the vessel Aratere last week, putting it out of action. Interislander says it will use its two other ferries to honour existing bookings.

Positively Wellington Tourism says the restriction could have social and economic effects on domestic travel.

Chief executive David Perks says the agency will be working with ferry companies and other tourism agencies to minimise any harm to the Wellington economy.