Wellington operator trumps discounting to go free for customers

27th May 2020 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker

Scott Courtney

Wellington-based Rover Tours Group says the Government’s wage subsidy has enabled it to keep operating, and it is now offering a free service.

The Hop-On Hop-Off bus service would be free to Wellingtonians and visitors from Queen’s Birthday Weekend to the end of July.

It was one of the first free offerings to come to market from a tourism operator.

The Hop-On Hop-Off service was a 90-minute loop with nine stops at key tourism destinations starting at Te Papa Tongarewa. The service would operate daily, leaving from Te Papa at 9:30am, 10:15am, 11am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 1:15pm, and 2:30pm.

Rover Tours was founded in 1999 to fill a gap in the Wellington tourism market. The locally owned company now operated over 20 vehicles, making it one of the largest operators in the capital.

“Supporting Wellington’s tourism operators is the right thing to do during these tough times,” owner Scott Courtney said.

“We are all part of the same tourism eco-system. That’s one of the major reasons why we decided to deliver locals and visitors to their doors for free.

“The biggest factor allowing us to do this is because we have received the government wage subsidy, like many other companies. It has enabled us to continue operating for the next few months while providing a free Hop-on Hop-Off service, which will be welcomed by many including those on a reduced income,” he said.

Rover Tours operated five tourism brands in the region including Lord of the Rings Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off, and Seal Coast Safari.

Seal Coast Safari Tour’s standard charges were discounted with departures available morning and afternoon.

Wellington was home to Weta Workshop and more than half the filming locations for Lord of the Rings.

“We expect tourism interest in this sector will slowly increase and our Lord of the Rings Tours will operate on demand in the short term.” Courtney said.

“It provides the opportunity to check out Weta Workshop, learn about movie magic, and see how local locations were transformed into Middle-Earth.”

To adhere with current Ministry of Health guidelines, Rover Tours required one person from each group on any tour to sign in using the Rippl app. Social distancing protocols would be in place.