The Milford Opportunities Project wants to ban cruise ships from entering Milford Sound and charge overseas visitors a fee. File photo. Photo: 123rf
The Milford Opportunities Project says it will hit a major milestone this week when it reports back to ministers on the feasibility of their masterplan.
The masterplan was launched in 2010, outlining a vision for Piopiotahi and beyond.
That included recommendations to ban cruise ships from entering Milford Sound, remove the airstrip, create a park and ride system to reduce congestion, and charge overseas visitors a fee.
Project spokesperson Phil Tisch said the group had spent most of the past two years testing the feasibility of the masterplan's recommendations and speaking to stakeholders.
"It's hugely significant for Milford Sound Piopiotahi itself, community, conservation and tourism. This is a culmination of seven years' work, initiated by the Key government to look at how we could do tourism differently into Piopiotahi... a really important milestone," he said.
Consultation helped them to understand what the hopes and ambitions of different stakeholders were, the challenges and how that could shape the advice to ministers, he said.
"They're all about providing a great experience to visitors and seeing that maintained into the future."
The next step was to report back to the conservation and tourism ministers the massive amount of information that had been gathered for the review.
"When they have done that, they'll be in a position to make decisions."