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Lyttelton port - Source: Supplied
Black Cat Cruises is planning to build a floating Hotel and 18
hole championship golf course in Lyttelton Harbour.
Managing director Paul Bingham says this is a first for New Zealand and the company got the idea from Cruise Ships being used in Lyttelton Harbour for the 2005 Lions tour.
"Floating hotels have become a trend in recent years overseas," says Bingham.
Access to the 100 room hotel and golf course will be provided by Black Cat Cruises who run the Diamond Harbour Ferry, Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbour Cruises and dolphin swim operations.
The golf course is planned for Quail Island and Bingham says the company is "very aware of our environmental responsibilities" with the planned development.
He says the $40 million development is planned to be complete in time for next year's Rugby World Cup.
"We are definitely on a tight time frame now. The hotel is being built in Bluff and will be towed up the Southern coastline once it's completed."
The company plans to base its Lyttelton and Ferrymead staff operations in the new hotel and run its Lyttelton cruises from there as well.
