31st March 2020 By Shannon Williams | shannon@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker
Ashley Cassin at home at Franz Josef
As the country moves into a four-week lockdown in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Ticker’s Lowdown on the Lockdown brings you a daily take from a tourism professional exploring new ways of working, sharing what life now looks like for them and just how much the pandemic has changed what they do.
Ashley Cassin, chairperson of Glacier Country Tourism Group.
How have you found the last few weeks, with the outbreak?
The last few weeks have been an unforgettable journey for me, and continue to be to – and I’m sure I am not alone in feeling like that. Even looking back now it simply blows me away to reacll just how quickly it went from the laid-back Kiwi mentality of “she’ll be right” to the country entering full lockdown.
Some big calls have been made with some big implications, but ultimately public health is key and I hope we see the reward of this action in the coming weeks with Covid-19 not taking to New Zealand like it has to other countries around the world. It is sad to have seen in recent days the first death from the virus here on the West Coast too.
How has the outbreak affected the businesses? What has feedback been like from your members?
Glacier Country Tourism Group represents more than 100 members from locations just north and south of the famous Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. We have a range of operators from the big players like Scenic Hotel Group, Inflite, The Helicopter Line and Ngāi Tahu Tourism down to small localised mum and dad operators, and everywhere in-between.
Events of the last fortnight have had a widespread impact – these can differ depending on the sub-sector and size of the operator – but basically all of our members are now in a zero revenue position, much like the rest of the industry. The most common initial concern was about being able to illustrate the 30% reduction in revenue needed to access the wage subsidy, as this time last year our region was rocked by the washout of Waiho Bridge.
My fear is for the medium to long-term, and what this event means for the tourism industry here in Glacier Country, up and down the rest of the West Coast and around New Zealand, let alone globally. Expert forecasts vary dramatically, but ultimately only time will tell.
What were your thoughts heading into the lockdown?
As an extrovert, I am concerned for my more introverted wife having to put up with me in the lockdown. Charlotte works from home so this is pretty standard for her except the meals out and weekend missions dry up!
I am really excited to see what the entrepreneurs, techies and creatives amongst us can come up with to keep us entertained, informed and active whilst on lockdown. We are already seeing some absolute pearls, and I expect this will grow and develop further with at least three weeks more of lockdown.
On a more serious note, the lockdown and the situation that has caused it, give me real concern for people’s overall wellbeing, but mainly mental health. These are unprecedented and uncertain times, with this risk around job or income loss, and health for those vulnerable to Covid-19 – being added on top of the daily stresses and pressures we are all exposed to.
And how have you found it so far?
It was refreshing to start, but I know the novelty of it will wear off quickly, especially staring down the barrel of four-plus weeks, with limited “real” social interaction and geographic perimeters. Keeping busy between work [Cassin is Business Manager of the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools and Glacier Base for Ngai Tahu Tourism], my study and Glacier Country helps pass the days and gives them some structure..
I have found meetings and social catch-ups over Zoom and other platforms really valuable. We have had some great discussions and brainstorming sessions with both Glacier Country Tourism’s executive group and this morning over a virtual coffee with the wider membership.
The first idea – of many – has been rolled out today, with our #beautifulbackyardbubble initiative. This is a chance for our local community, of whom the vast majority is linked to tourism, can share the stunning setting we all get to call home with potential future visitors.
Can you tell us a bit about your home set up?
I am fortunate that my home set up mirrors the set up I have at work in terms of dual screens, the only thing missing is the racy adjustable standing desk. It’s a short 18-stride commute from bed each morning and is dangerously close to the kitchen, but the view out the window up to the lower reaches of Ka Tiritiri o te Moana / The Southern Alps is simply spectacular and the garage is full of fun toys to keep us active and entertained.
Ashley on his Zwift cycle trainer, “the ultimate lockdown tool for physical and mental health”
Have you got any goals that you’re hoping to achieve in lockdown?
Yes, both some work-based and personal ones. Work-wise this is an opportunity to get stuck into some of those nice extras the typical working week never allows for, and I am really keen to ensure we have a strong restart programme in place to ensure we are positioned for success on the other side of this.
We are running daily challenges through work – Sunday was a cooking challenge in which we got 23 entries. On the back of the success of that, we are looking forward to a large-scale potluck with some incredible looking options on offer for the team on the other side of this.
Personally, on day two I shaved my head – it was do something I have thought about for a long time but never done. And, I want to work my way up to a 100 miler (160km) session on my Zwift trainer, luckily I have a few weeks to find some fitness first!
How are you and your family planning to get through the lockdown? Have you got any fun activities planned?
As cliché as it is, it is going to be day-by-day. It is a pretty surreal experience only a couple of days in, and a few more weeks of this will be a test. We have plans that include a camping trip or two albeit on our own property, with bonfire included; We have a list of chores and the mandatory housework has been upgraded to include a full autumn clean.
All the best to everyone out there in their various locations for the lockdown.
If you’d like to contribute to our Lowdown on the Lockdown series, contact the Ticker’s Shannon Williams at shannon@tourismticker.com.
