16 November 2016

Canterbury welcoming visitors

Visitors are welcome across Canterbury and New Zealand's South Island following Monday’s earthquake, Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism (CCT) says.

CCT chief executive Vic Allen is urging people to keep their travel plans and is reassuring visitors the disruption is confined to Kaikoura, 180 kilometres north of Christchurch.

“The South Island remains a safe place to visit. Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, Waipara, Akaroa, Arthurs Pass, Ashburton, Timaru, the Mackenzie district and all other areas of Canterbury are operating as usual.

“Hanmer Springs is open, as is the Waipara Valley wine region, the Tranz Alpine is running as normal from Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur’s Pass and a daily Intercity coach service between Christchurch and Picton is operating via the Lewis Pass,” he says.

“Outside of the Kaikoura district, Canterbury’s accommodation, airports, restaurants, cafes, local transport and attraction experiences are operational. The Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Information Centre is open daily to assist travellers with travel plans and bookings."

Christchurch has been unaffected and is now regarded as one of the safest cities in the world, following a five-year infrastructure rebuild and strengthening upgrades.

“Further aftershocks can be expected, but we are well-prepared for earthquakes and set up to assist visitors,” Mr Allen says.

“Visitors are telling us they are happy to stay here to explore the region, and we are helping them book alternative routes and accommodation where necessary,” he says.

Status updates and transport information for the Canterbury region are available at www.christchurchnz.com

ENDS

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