What shadowy figures forced the closure of the Mount I-Site in Salisbury Avenue in a way that has angered visitors from around the world as well as local residents?
Is it possible that the vultures of vested interests may be waiting to pounce on an empty building in a prime location for visitors to the area?
The spin-off result of The Mount I-Site closure means that Tourism BOP has lost all credibility with The Mount plus all revenue from the sale of bus tickets and tours there as confused people do not know where to find Intercity and Naked Bus services.
Even worse the plan to provide five star I-Site information service exclusively for cruise ship passengers creates class distinction on a grand scale.
The idea of having only an I-Port means that for 365 days per year about fifty thousand less privileged visitors arriving by car, bus, bicycle or on foot at The Mount no longer have properly trained I-Site staff to assist them.
By the way, after leaving a vibrant and lively scene at Mount Maunganui to go home I passed by the newly developed Strand waterfront walkway where I saw no one walking and just eight people sitting on the seats.
Final questions for blinkered bureaucracy - Has Council blundered badly in keeping an I-Site for a deserted village waterfront instead of keeping an I-Site open in a crowded beachside resort?
Should the CBD I-Site in Willow Street be closed if only one can be run?
Was there any reduction in staff numbers at the I-Sites when only one I-Site in the city remains open? If this is not the case how can a figure of $285,000 for running just one I-Site be justified?
I wonder!

Samuel Smith, Otumoetai.