Chch promoted as Antarctic gateway

Press, 13 September 1988, Page 7

Chch promoted as Antarctic gateway

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor

The travel industry was warned yesterday not to be tempted by the falling value of the New Zealand dollar to push up prices. To do so would be a stab in' the back to those working to attract more tourists, said the general manager of the Tourist and Publicity Department, Mr Neil Plimmer, at the opening of the department’s expanded travel office in Cathedral Square last evening. Mr Plimmer said he was optimistic about future growth, but added a cautionary note that there was no room for complacency or relaxation.

“New Zealand’s growth in tourism will not come easily — it will be hard won,” he said. Mr Plimmer praised members of the industry who had' held their prices over the last 12 months. He told "The Press” later that the department

was “very committed” to putting substantial resources behind the idea of making Christchurch the “gateway or capital” of Antarctica.

“The proposal is inherently appealing on two grounds. One, it adds to the distinctiveness of New Zealand. The Antarctic is a very special place and a close identification by Christchurch with it gives a new and distinctive dimension to what we can offer,” he said. “Second, it is natural and plausible. Christchurch’s historic association with Antarctic exploration, its outstanding Antarctic centre in the Canterbury Museum, and the reality of today’s American and New Zealand Antarctic efforts staging out of Christchurch, make a strong base to build on.” The recent commitment of the American National Science Foundation to a new building in Christchurch was a significant development and would

consolidate the concept, Mr Plimmer said. Mr Plimmer said two initial marketing thrusts would be necessary, when the product was ready. One would be for conventions and meetings of scientists, environmentalists and others interested in Antarctic studies. The second would be to try and get Christchurch as a stopover for tourist cruises, explorations and others going to Antarctica.

Another market could be special interest tours for people interested in Antarctica but who realised they could not actually visit the continent.

“Christchurch should set out to offer the best' Antarctic experience for anyone, short of actually visiting Antarctica,” said Mr Plimmer.

His department would facilitate this marketing by assistance with brochure preparation and direct marketing through its 14 offices overseas, he said.