Students plan guide service

Press, 28 November 1980, Page 20

Students plan guide service

Undeterred by the shortage of holiday jobs in Christchurch, one group of university students has decided to form its own work co-operative. The group, including the Students’ Association president. Mr A. J. Stuart, will try to set up a “student courtesy guides service.” Its aim will be to assist tourists and other visitors with their shopping, their sightseeing or any other services that might be required. The service, if approved by the Labour Department under the student community service programme, will be offered free to al! visitors in Christchurch. Students, some of whom speak Japanese and other languages, will meet people in their hotels and at other city vantage points. The group had ap-

proached various Innercity hotels, the Canterbury Promotion Council, and the Canterbury Travel Association, Mr Stuart said. All had approved the idea in principle. The application for inclusion in the community service programme will be made to the Labour Department this week. Under the scheme's rules, any work initiative must be supported by an “umbrella organisation” which can provide funding for the first few weeks. The group hopes to be supported by its own association.

While it awaits a Labour Department decision, the group has one more problem to deal with. Tt needs an innercitv base, a shop, or room, preferably facing on to a street, that the tourists can telephone or visit.