Media statement 26 March 2001
TOURISTS COULD BE GREETED BY CITY HOSTS
Special roaming hosts could soon greet Christchurch visitors in the city centre.
A Christchurch resident, Wynn Ballantine, is trailing her idea of city hosts from today with the blessing of the Mayor,
Garry Moore.
The idea was put to the Council’s City Promotion Team, and received the support of the Mayor.
“The idea sounds great. Anything we can do to make visitors feel welcome to our city is to be applauded,” he says.
It is planned that the hosts, wearing official identification badges, dressed in distinctive red, black and white
uniforms will mingle with tourists on the tram, shuttle and by foot, throughout the central city.
The Mayor says that as well as being a part of the tourist industry, the city host scheme could also be a part of the
revitalisation of the inner city, complimenting the city’s Guided Walk Services, the Town Crier, and Christchurch and
Canterbury Marketing Ltd.
Christchurch residents and business people already make visitors to the city feel welcome but this new courtesy scheme
will endeavour not to leave that to chance.
The hosts will be based in the Visitors’ centre in Cathedral Square.
Further information: Julie Battersby (City Promotion Co-ordinator)
phone: 025 220 7244.