On the West Coast, locals are reporting a huge increase in traffic volumes and tourists coming to stay. Photo: SuppliedTourists are heading to the South Island's West Coast in their droves after the devastating east coast earthquake disrupted their holiday plans, locals say. On the West Coast, locals are reporting a huge increase in traffic volumes and tourists coming to stay. West Coasters spoken to by the Herald were highly sympathetic of the plight of quake-stricken east-siders. "Tourism was already booming here on the West Coast - it's the big game in town at the moment - so this is going to put pressure on West Coast tourism but we can cope, there's no doubt about that.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 15, 2016 21:22 UTC