Don't cancel because of Christchurch earthquake, visitors urged

Visitors to Christchurch are being urged not to cancel. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Canterbury tourism officials say the best way people can help is to keep bookings they have made and continue visiting the region.

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Ian Hay said about 12 per cent of the local workforce worked in the tourism industry - which was worth around $2 billion to the region.

Despite some initial closures the region was now recovering well and 98 per cent of tourism operators in Christchurch were operating again.

"The best thing that people can do if they want to help is if they are coming to the area then still come because that will keep people employed and keep the money going around in the economy."

Mr Hay was in Australia when the quake hit and the impression he got from initial reports was that the centre of the city had been decimated. He worried many others from outside the area would still have the same views.

"The reality is it hasn't ... we are still here, the Cathedral is still here, the spiral on it is still here. We are trying to show people the reality ... this city is in pretty good heart and basically intact. Less than 5 per cent of the buildings in the central city have been damaged."

Mr Hay said he was aware of one hotel and one motel not yet open, along with a couple of city attractions, like the arts centre, which remain closed. But most attractions, such as Orana Wildlife Park and the Gondolas, were open.

Meanwhile, Civil Defence in Waimakariri District have issued a plea for sightseers to avoid Kaiapoi, particularly over the weekend.

"Residents are getting really irritated with the number of people coming to inspect the damage in the centre of town and in residential areas," said Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer.

"Some have told us they are tired of being treated like a freak show, and we are urging rubberneckers to simply stay away."