A year after the entire city was shaken by a 6.3 magnitude quake, its residents and tourism leaders are ready to show the world Christchurch is back and more resilient and innovative than ever before.

Poised to become of the most exciting cities in Australasia, Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter described the past 12 months as a “difficult journey” but assured the city is heading toward “strong recovery” with new bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

While mourning fills the somber air for the 185 losses on 22 February 2011, mayor Bob Parker stressed there was still a sense of hope and optimism amongst the locals that the city will “emerge from this difficult period in its history as one of the most exciting ciites in the world”.

Hoping to counter-act the nine percent drop in night spent in the Canterbury region for the year ending September 2011, Christchurch recently established improvements to its visitor information in the central city with large display maps and signage, thousands of city guides also fill the streets to guide tourists.

A new blog site called ‘Pop Up City Christchurch’ was also launched with suggestions of great dining, drinking and shopping locations while a new i-SITE Visitor Centre was opened at the Botanic Gardens to stand as the one-stop shop for Christchurch information.

Despite the advancements to re-build its tourism industry, Mr Hunter explained hotel accommodation in the city was still in short supply, however after the Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch re-opens in March this year 171 new rooms will be on the market.

“In September we expect to see the 155 room Ibis Hotel re-open in Hereford Street, followed by the Novotel at the end of 2012,” Mr Hunter said.

“Another four major hotel re-openings are slated for 2013.

“Construction is now underway on the all new Latimer Hotel.”

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