Christchurch residents urged to get out and explore their city during May

8 April 2008

Tourism operators will be offering special discounts to Christchurch residents during May in an initiative aimed at encouraging people to get out and explore their city.

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism and the Christchurch City Council are declaring May Residents’ Month in Christchurch and are urging those who live in the city to holiday at home.

They’ve persuaded many of the city’s tourism operators to offer discounted rates to local residents during May and are hoping people will seize the opportunity to enjoy some of the many and varied visitor activities and experiences Christchurch has to offer.

“We’re blessed to live in a city that has a rich cultural heritage, beautiful natural landscapes and fantastic visitor attractions. But it is often only when we have out-of-town visitors that we take time out to enjoy them,’’ says Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Christine Prince.

“As residents of Christchurch it is very easy for us to take for granted all that we have here and to overlook the opportunities for fun and adventure that are literally on our doorstep.

“During May we’re encouraging residents to take a fresh look at their city – to see and experience it as visitors might. We want people to venture out to places they wouldn’t ordinarily go to and discover the city’s hidden secrets,’’ Christine Prince says.

A special residents desk in the i-Site Visitors Centre in Cathedral Square will be staffed throughout May to provide information on different activities and to help people make the most of the opportunities on offer.

“There are things you can do without spending a lot of money – two of the most popular things visitors to Christchurch do is visit the Botanic Gardens and the Cathedral, neither of which cost anything. It is just a matter of getting out there and rediscovering exactly how much the Garden City has,’’ Christine Prince says.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker will officially launch Residents Month on May 2 at a special event in Cathedral Square.

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