Sales up but Bridge Climb cuts numbers

By SIMON HENDERY

Auckland Bridge Climb says it has laid off two part-time staff but the move is not a reflection on patronage of one of the city's newest adventure tourism activities.

A Bridge Climb spokeswoman Shelley Zucht said yesterday that the marketing and accounts positions had been disbanded because the jobs were related to the busy start-up phase of the business.

The job cuts had nothing to do with the downturn in inbound visitor arrivals which has hit the tourism sector since last September's US terror attacks.

"We still have a full complement of 31 staff on board, and every day sales are getting better and better."

When the climb opened last month, the company said it expected 55,000 people (equivalent to 150 a day) to make the 2 3/4 hour trek across the bridge during its first year of operation.

Last week Bridge Climb general manager Maurice Crosby said nearly 100 people a day were making the trip, half of them foreign visitors.

More overseas tourists were expected to book during the next 18 months as the climb was promoted in Britain, Australia and Japan, he said.

Bridge Climb is continuing negotiations with Queenstown-based AJ Hackett Bungy about setting up a bungy jump off the bridge.

If a deal between the two companies is completed, and regulatory approval granted, it is likely that a bungy jump would be offered as an extra option for those doing the bridge climb.

The idea of running a jump off the bridge was first floated about two years ago and is supported by its owner, Transit New Zealand, which would probably take a cut of revenue.

Auckland Bridge Climb