New Zealand earthquake: Latest Christchurch travel advice for tourists

Add to My Stories Tourists are being advised to leave Christchurch and head to other parts of New Zealand and the earthquake recovery continues.The capital of the South Island is still struggling to cope with the immediate aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake and the centre of the city is a no-go area.Those due to fly to or from Christchurch's airport are advised that it is open to both domestic and international flights, but passengers are advised to check with their airline before travel.

Picking up the pieces: Tourism chiefs have asked holidaymakers to stay away while the clean-up is in progressThe city of Wellington was inundated with more than 1,000 calls from people offering accomodation to those who may need it, following the 6.3 magnitude tremor, and people are taking to social networking sites to offer rooms.Positively Wellington Tourism chief executive David Perks said that although the city was stretched, it was coping with demand.Many hotels received cancellations from conferences and tour groups following the quake, freeing up space for those who may need it.Tourists due to arrive in New Zealand for holidays are being asked to avoid Christchurch as many hotels are not open and those that are may be needed to accommodate locals who have been forced to leave their homes.

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In the centre of the city, most hotels are inaccessible and the tallest building in Christchurch, the Hotel Grand Chancellor, is said to be teetering on the point of collapse since the 6.3 magnitude tremor.Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter told the New Zealand Herald: 'It's just not in a state that can cope with more tourists! at the moment'It really is a case of encouraging people who are here to think about moving to other parts of Canterbury or other parts of New Zealand while the city just deals with the immediate emergency.'
Mr Hunter said only the city's airport hotels were 'relatively unscathed', which would not be enough to accommodate all the tourists due to arrive in Christchurch for New Zealand's peak season.

TGoing home: German tourists Franziska Kuhnt and Sarah Lindenborn wait for an evacuation flight at the airportHundreds of tourists are fleeing the city for other 'safer' destinations, but there are currently no railways running and roads to the airport have been badly damaged.Those with flights have been told to head to collection points at the Burnside High School welfare centre, on the corner of Memorial Avenue and Greers Road, or the welfare centre at North Hagley Park to make arrangements.There are coach services departing from the corner of Colombo Street and Bealey Avenue.
New Zealand receives more than 2.5 million visitors annually, with more than 230,000 from Britain alone, and fear have been voiced that the latest earthquake could decimate the tourism industry.It could also cause a knock-on effect in Australia. The Gold Coast is a popular holiday spot for Kiwis, but it is thought many will not travel as recovery costs from the quake begin to soar.Queensland has suffered from two natural disasters already this year, with extensive flooding and Cyclone Yasi affecting tourism revenue.Any tourists in New Zealand who need assistance should call 0800 779 997. Other useful websites for information include:

New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management website, www.mcdem.govt.nz or www.civildefence.govt.nz/

Environment Canterbury's earthquake site at http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/

Christchurch Airport: www.christchurchairport.co.nz/