Thirty-five percent of tourism and hospitality businesses were anticipating making redundancies as a result. Photo: 123RF
Visitor spending in storm-damaged Coromandel over February was down an average 39.9 percent on the same time last year.
A Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) survey of 267 tourism and hospitality businesses showed visitor spending in Tairua was down 48.2 percent, Whitianga 47.7 percent, Northern Mercury Bay 47.6 percent and Coromandel/Colville 46.3 percent.
Of those questioned, 95 percent had decreased profits. Half saw a greater than 60 percent decrease in sales.
Thirty-five percent were anticipating making redundancies as a result.
Eighty percent believed the outlook for their business over the next six months had deteriorated.
The council has received 330 applications for money from the Cyclone Gabrielle Business Recovery Fund, which has $1.42 million allocated for the region.
Two-hundred and four applications have been received for the Mayoral Relief Fund, with 15 coming from community organisations, 125 from small businesses and 64 from individuals or families.
The council said a Mayoral Relief Fund panel was being established and would meet next week to make decisions.
The Department of Internal Affairs has approved funding for the TCDC to recruit two social navigators, who will provide support to iwi, communities and businesses by connecting them up to the right agencies and support.