West Coast tourism companies struggling with the pandemic have started raising money to keep employees – and convert their jobs into conservation jobs.

Franz Josef.
Photo: Delivered / scenic hotel group

Tourist towns around the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers remain some of the hardest hit cities in Aotearoa, and many of their businesses are in dire straits.

The $ 5 million Business Support Fund is set to help them, and Trust, Development West Coast, has started distributing payments.

The trust is part of an alliance of local groups and councils formed to respond to the impact of Covid-19 on the community.

Alliance chairman Mike Meehan said the money will be used to create 214 nature-based jobs.