A tourism expert is confident the industry can survive any downturn in tourists as a result of the Whakaari White Island eruption.

The death toll is now at six and eight others are presumed dead.

Many of those caught up in the eruption were tourists - some of the more than 10,000 who visit the active volcano each year.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts told Mike Hosking he doesn't think it will have a lasting impact.

"There will be no tours to White Island for the foreseeable future, but plenty of other things to do in New Zealand. I don't think it will hurt our image as a destination, but obviously it's not the sort of thing we ever want happening here."