Federated Farmers offers to talk with tour operator

Federated Farmers offers to talk with tour operator

Following media reports of High Country Explorer Tours being affected by the sale of Flock Hill Station, Federated Farmers High Country is offering to speak with the operator.

“No one likes to see someone potentially lose a business and people their jobs,” says Chas Todhunter, Federated Farmers High Country chairperson.

“Federated Farmers’ door is open to the operator to see what we can do.

“We’ve got members involved in the same sort of business he’s in. Other members may be interested in exploring what this may potentially bring to their properties.

“Many of our members in the modern High Country run diversified operations straddling farming and tourism. My family are included in that as we run a boutique conference venue on Glenfalloch Station in Mid-Canterbury.

“That said we do think it is unfair to pick on the owners at Flock Hill as the investors have been involved there for sometime. Since they are a really approachable bunch of people the sentiment up here will be with them.

“It seems the main issue is trying to farm around several busloads of cruise ship passengers at a time that’s potentially interfering with the station’s operation as a working farm. Right now they are shearing.

“Farming is after all our day job.

“That said, many farmers are open to good commercial opportunities as long as the benefits outweigh the costs.

“Federated Farmers High Country may be able to help this operator to find another station but they have to know that farming comes first,” Mr Todhunter concluded.

ends

© Scoop Media