A year after being struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand is slowly re-emerging as a vibrant city.
Christchurch’s city centre was badly damaged and 185 people killed in last February’s quake,
“It’s been a difficult journey and the challenges aren’t over yet but the creation of new bars, restaurants and entertaining spaces is giving the city a very strong recovery feel,” said Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive, Tim Hunter.
In the year ended September 2011, 47% of all visitors to New Zealand spent a night in Canterbury as part of their New Zealand stay – a drop of just 9% compared with the previous year.
Direct Air Asia X services from Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch since April 2011 have been a fantastic boost for tourism in the South Island,“ Hunter said.
And while hotel accommodation in Christchurch is still in short supply, that situation should improve when the centrally located 171-room Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch re-opens next month.
“In September we expect to see the 155 room Ibis Hotel re-open, followed by the Novotel at the end of 2012. Another four major hotel re-openings are slated for 2013. Construction is now underway on the all-new Latimer Hotel,” Hunter added.
Jeff Shearer, COO of Heritage Hotels, said it was hoped to re-open part of the Heritage Christchurch in the Old Government Building by September this year. A date for the Tower Wing is not yet available.
