WELLINGTON, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Tourism data showed Christchurch, the largest city of New Zealand's South Island, is "back on the itinerary for many international visitors" but some work was still needed including replenishing its accommodation stocks, Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner said on Sunday.
"With British and Irish Lions fans roaring into Christchurch this weekend, it's a good time to take stock of the local tourism sector," said Wagner, referring the most anticipated rugby events in the country.
"Overall, while tourism is not back at pre-quake levels, visitor numbers and accommodation capacity are increasing," Wagner said in a release.
"It's particularly pleasing to see annual international visitor numbers to Christchurch Airport (as at April this year) are over 500,000 for the first time since the quakes," she said, adding that total tourism expenditure in the greater Christchurch area was estimated at 2.3 billion NZ dollars (1.66 billion U.S. dollars) in the 12 months to April 2017.
Capacity at motels and holiday parks is almost back to pre-quake levels, but there is still some work to do in the hotel sector, with bed numbers in March 2017 at 56 percent of 2010 numbers, according to the dashboard.
Christchurch's central city was struck hard in the quakes and a lot of building stock, including hotels, was lost, Wagner said, adding that "it was heartening to see a number of hotels have reopened, two more are in the process of substantial refurbishment or repairs, and new hotels are in the pipeline."
The city has come to life this weekend with Lions fans and locals attending the game at the stadium or watching from bars and restaurants, she said.
The government is helping domestic and international visitors see Christchurch -- "not as a broken place, but a city of opportunity," she said.
