West Coast glacier towns plea for help as populations nosedive Newshub 9/01/2021
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There s concern for the future of two glacier towns on the South Island s West Coast.
Fox and Franz Josef have experienced a tough few years with washed-out bridges and roads.
Now the loss of international tourists has slashed the towns populations as longtime residents are forced to move out.
Stunning glaciers put Fox and Franz Josef on the must-do list for international tourists.
But with borders closed they ve become ghost towns. Trading at the Matheson Cafe in Fox Glacier is down by 90 percent. It means we re existing on reserves and borrowings. And really there is no margin for the businesses to survive, says owner Chris Alexander.