The company announced it would reduce its fleet operating in Milford Sound from five vessels to three from March 1.
Real Journeys general manager Paul Norris said he did not expect to have full access to Milford Rd before the end of the summer season.
‘‘Unfortunately, the need to reduce our operations in Milford Sound means we no longer have enough work for the same number of seasonal staff.
‘‘In response, we have reluctantly offered our seasonal staff at Milford Sound the opportunity to take voluntary redundancies and to finish the season early.’’
In an email to all the Milford Sound fixed-term staff, Mr Norris admitted cancellations because of the coronavirus outbreak had hurt the company.
‘‘In addition this season, we have felt the impact of coronavirus and the travel restrictions of tourists coming from China.
‘‘This has led to a high number of cancellations, particularly of Chinese tour groups.’’
Mr Norris goes on to say in the email that bookings in February were down 94% on the same time last year.
The company was offering voluntary redundancy to fixed-term staff before considering a ‘‘restructure proposal to reduce staff numbers’’, Mr Norris said.
The people being offered redundancy were working as scenic vessel crew, scenic vessel guides, customer service consultants and store people.
Real Journeys did not say how many people have been offered redundancy.
There were vacancies in other parts of the company, such as in Te Anau, Manapouri and Stewart Island, where some of the people being made redundant could go.
Some of those vacancies had accommodation included, Mr Norris said.
‘‘We appreciate that this period of change may be stressful, and we are doing what we can to support all those affected during this time.
‘‘Our Milford Sound staff are highly trained and exceptional team players from around the world. We hope some will take up the offer of redeployment within the company, but for those who decide to leave early, we'll be very sorry to say goodbye.’’
He said the redundancies did not affect any of the permanent staff or those outside Milford Sound.
The company will continue to operate one of its two Scenic Cruise vessels, along with MV Sinbad and MV Milford Mariner as Nature Cruise vessels.
‘‘Weather permitting, we are also operating our daily Fly-Cruise-Fly option, and weather permitting, on Friday, 21st February, tourism convoy road access will commence,’’ Mr Norris said.
Milford Mariner continues as an overnight cruise vessel.
Milford Wanderer will remain in Doubtful Sound until the end of the summer season.
