New strategy to ensure tourists still come to Christchurch
Christchurch International Airport (CIAL) is working with the tourism industry to develop a new strategy to ensure
tourists continue to fly in and out of Christchurch Airport to travel in the South Island.
“We have always been the major gateway for international travellers to come to the South Island and we still intend to
be,” said CIAL Chief Executive Jim Boult. “Tourists spend $4.3 billion a year in the South Island, so keeping this
industry alive and thriving is vital to the renewal of Christchurch and the well-being of the South Island economy.”
A team from Christchurch Airport, Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, and Tourism New Zealand met to discuss ways to
reassure travellers that New Zealand is still a great place to visit.
“A large percentage of hotel rooms in Christchurch are unavailable because they are damaged or are in the CBD,”
explained Jim Boult. “So one of the key issues is how to move people quickly and easily from the airport to remaining
accommodation both within and outside Christchurch.”
He went on to say that there is still some accommodation in Christchurch as most motels have continued operating. “There
are approximately 1900 motel rooms in Christchurch, mostly in the suburbs. Ninety five percent of the motels in
Christchurch are operational. At the moment, these are full with emergency response personnel, but they will gradually
become available for travellers in the near future.”
Christchurch Airport is arranging a meeting next week of all Regional Tourism offices and airlines involved in the South
Island to address the issue of maintaining a strong tourism industry
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