First Christchurch hotel re-opens after earthquake
New Zealand tourism fights back as the first city centre hotel re-opens since the February 2011 earthquake hit Christchurch.
The Ibis Christchurch hotel has undergone major remedial work, including the renovation of all 155 rooms and public areas, as well as structural strengthening to meet the city’s new building code.
The launch of the hotel comes a month after the announcement of a masterplan for the "re-imagining" of Christchurch including a proposed convention centre.
Hotel Ibis Christchurch general manager, Tim Dearsley, said that the 4th September re-launch date was selected because it represents the second anniversary of the first major quake to hit Christchurch, though it didn’t have anywhere near the same impact as the subsequent February 2011 quake.
"Christchurch tourism has suffered enormously because of the perception that the city was closed following the earthquake," Dearsley said.
"This was never true, but the re-opening of the Ibis will highlight that the city centre is now accessible to travellers.
"While some of the CBD is still cordoned off, it is important to note that the ‘red zone’ has reduced from 387 hectares to 49 hectares today and the authorities aim to have the city fully open by the middle of 2013."
Diane
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