Visitors impressed with Chch

Press, 7 April 1987, Page 9

Visitors impressed with Chch

Christchurch is friendly, clean, safe, and English, according to 400 international visitors to New Zealand. Arthur’s Pass and Ashburton were the places in Canterbury which most people had heard of and visited. Twenty-six per cent had visited Arthur’s Pass. Next most popular were Lyttelton, Akaroa and Banks Peninsula, Methven and Mount Hutt, the Rakaia River, Hanmer Springs, and the Waimakariri River. The visitors were interviewed as they left New Zealand, from Auckland,

Wellington, or Christchurch airports, from between April and June last year.

The results would assist the marketing of Canterbury, said the chief executive of the Canterbury Promotion Council, Mr Bruce Dunstan.

Impressions of Christchurch varied with different nationalities and according to the length of stay. The friendliness was noted most by vistors from Britain (83 per cent) and those staying two or more nights (83 per cent). Japanese visitors noted the cleanliness (85 per

cent) and safety (82 per cent) of the city. Opinions were divided on whether there was “lots to see and do,” with 46 per cent saying there was, and 17 per cent disagreeing. Of those who stayed two or more nights, 64 per cent agreed there was plenty to see and do. Whether Christchurch has “good shopping” was similarly divided and affected by length of stay. Christchurch Cathedral was visited by 65 per cent of visitors. Forty per cent hard heard of the Arts

Centre, and 25 per .cent had visited it. The length of stay in Christchurch was encouraging, Mr Dunstan said. One-third of visitors stayed three or more nights. Thirty per cent stayed two nights, and 28 per cent one night. “There is still much to be achieved, but many people will be agreeably surprised at the numbers staying three or more nights,” he said. Negative impressions of Christchurch included facilities being closed and the city centre needing a

boost (7 per cent), unfavourable weather (6 per cent), and “dirty” or bad elements in the Square (2 per cent). “While negative impressions came from a relatively small number of visitors, impressions which can be controlled and improved do warrant attention,” Mr Dunstan said. The report is part of a $14,000 research project. Further surveys are being undertaken. The report is available from the Canterbury Promotion Council.