Tourism eager to shake off quake stigma

The tourism industry is working to keep tourists coming into the country, despite earthquake damage in Christchurch.
Tourism Industry Association and Rotorua tourism committee deputy chairman Oscar Nathan attended a national tourism summit in Wellington last week, aimed primarily at getting a handle on the situation in Christchurch and what was being done to tell the world New Zealand is still open for business - including the South Island.
He said Rotorua had seen a flow-on effect from the Christchurch earthquake's impact on travel itineraries and the ongoing national state of emergency status could act as a red flag for international travellers.
"The immediate issue for us here in Rotorua is to work smartly and strategically with major suppliers and airlines to ensure existing Rotorua group itinerary disruptions are minimised and alternatives explored.
"We need to come to terms with the displacement reality that the Christchurch situation has created in tourism and step up to the challenge. The last thing the New Zealand tourism industry can afford right now is to drop the ball."