New venture to boost Christchurch tourism

Christchurch authorities hope the new Christchurch and Canterbury Travel and Tourism Partnership will help get the city's tourism industry back on its feet. Photo / Supplied

Authorities in quake-damaged Christchurch are looking to get the city's tourism industry back on track with a new "roadmap to recovery".

The Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) and Christchurch City Council have teamed up with Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism (CCT) to rebuild the city's tourism infrastructure and market it to the world.

"Tourism is one of the most important drivers of our economy so it is vital we get our tourism industry back on its feet as quickly as possible," Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter said.

"The new Christchurch and Canterbury Travel and Tourism Partnership will provide us with the leadership and the resources needed to make that happen. It represents a significant step forward and should bring substantial benefits not just to this region but to the whole of the South Island."

Prime Minister John Key today said the venture was a collaborative approach designed to help CCT "stabilise its business and operations and rebuild existing tourism and travel activity".

"Despite the severe impact of the earthquake, CCT has played a vital role in helping Canterbury's tourism industry to recover, but this would be impossible to continue without additional funding," he said.

MED and CIAL are each putting $625,000 toward the project, while the council is contributing $350,000 in addition to core funding of $2.2 million.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the new partnership was a practical initiative to help the tourism sector following February 22's devastating 6.3 magnitude quake.

"It's vital that we protect this sector to ensure the viability of our commercial operators and also the jobs of their staff," he said.

"We have to get out now with the message that our tourism industry is still operating and that Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island, which is open for business and as beautiful as ever."

CIAL chief executive Jim Boult said the partnership would provide much needed support.

"We are currently in the midst of the biggest crisis that South Island tourism has ever faced, and it is imperative that we have a strong and functional tourism body in the months and years to come, to work with the industry and to ensure Christchurch doesn't disappear off the tourist map", he said.

"Undeniably, Christchurch has faced significant destruction from the recent earthquake, but throughout the city, the region and the greater South Island, there is a desire for tourism to rebound quickly, and we need to ensure we have a strong voice to communicate this internationally."

Christchurch was today named one of New Zealand's top five holiday destinations, despite suffering significant infrastructure damage in both the February quake and the 7.1 magnitude tremor in September.

The Mood of the New Zealand Traveller Survey, released by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), ranked the Garden City in fourth place behind Wellington, Auckland and Queenstown.

- NZPA