News release
April 30, 2008

Red carpet rolls out for Christchurch residents

The red carpet is being rolled out in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square this Friday 2 May, not for royalty or a visiting dignitary but for the city’s own residents.

They are to be the guests of honour at a party being organised to mark the start of Come Out and Play, a new month-long initiative aimed at enticing Christchurch residents to get out and explore their city.

It’s the first time in the world such an initiative has been launched and the city’s tourism bosses are hoping it will increase local engagement in the tourism industry.

With the school holidays on, parents are being encouraged to bring their children into the Square for the festivities, which will begin at 10am and include a Maori cultural performance, and a chance to get up close with an Antarctic Hagglund, waka, tram, gondola, plus live music, and fun give-aways and a chance for fans to meet members of the SKOPE Tactix netball team. Christchurch Casino is shouting morning tea for everyone.

Gary McCormick from More FM will act as the official host for the party, which has been organised by Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism with the support of the Christchurch City Council. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker will officially launch Come Out and Play.

CCT chief executive Christine Prince is hoping Christchurch residents will seize this opportunity to get winter off to a fun-filled start.

“When you live in a city as wonderful as Christchurch you often take for granted what’s on your doorstep and overlook the things that our visitors prize when they come here,’’ says Ms Prince.

“What we’re doing is encouraging residents to take a fresh look at their city and to really explore their own back yard. During May we want people to venture out to places they wouldn’t ordinarily go to and discover the city’s hidden secrets. We want them to Come Out and Play.’’

The city’s tourism operators will be offering discounted rates to local residents throughout May and a special residents’ desk has been set up in the i-SITE Visitor Centre in Cathedral Square to provide locals with information on different activities and to help them make the most of the opportunities on offer.

“The community and the tourism industry rely on each other. They need each other’s support. This is a fun way of bringing the two together and giving Christchurch residents a better appreciation of just how much this city has to offer,’’ Ms Prince says.

“At the end of the day our residents are our city’s best ambassadors so we want them to ooze enthusiasm and to be proud of what they have on their doorstep.”

ENDS

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