Facelift in pipeline for Kelly Tarlton's

By SIMON HENDERY

Listed tourism operator Tourism Holdings will spend $12 million over the next four years refurbishing its Auckland waterfront attraction, Kelly Tarlton's.

Tourism Holdings experiences division general manager Richard Wilson said the refurbishment programme was scheduled to begin next month, with the design and installation of a new filtration system for the aquarium tanks that contain more than 1000 fish of 40 species.

Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World will stay open during the upgrade, which will include the addition of facilities allowing visitors to swim with sharks and get close to giant sting rays in the new Sting Ray Bay.

Other work will include a new shark feeding area, and the addition of a cafe and function rooms.

Wilson said the redevelopment was part of Tourism Holdings' ongoing strategy to upgrade facilities and plant.

In addition to the Kelly Tarlton's redevelopment, Tourism Holdings will next month open a purpose-built depot adjacent to Auckland International Airport for its Johnstons Coachlines, Great Sights and Airbus coach fleets.

The company has also bought a state-of-the-art catamaran for its Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises.

The 34m Pride of Milford vessel is due for delivery in September, in time for the coming summer season.

Tourism Holdings is the country's largest tourism business.

Its operations include the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves, and Maui and Britz vehicle rentals in Australia and New Zealand.