17 Oct 2016

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Christchurch will follow in the footsteps of other major cities by setting up a single organisation that will be responsible for promoting tourism, events, international education and economic development.

The Christchurch Tourism tramway.

A new organisation is being set up to promote tourism, economic development, international education and events in Christchurch.

Christchurch City Council has agreed to consolidate its existing tourism, major events and economic development functions by bringing together Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism (CCT), and some activities currently undertaken by the Council’s Events Unit.

Canterbury Development Corporation Holdings Limited, which holds the Council’s shares in CDC and CCT, will oversee the establishment of the new organisation. Potentially affected staff are currently being consulted with and Council expects to release further details about the organisation’s structure early next year.

The decision to set up a single organisation aligns with the Council’s recently approved Christchurch Visitor Strategy, as well as the Government’s latest tourism figures which estimate the city is currently missing out on revenue of $500 million per year compared to the pre-earthquakes economy.

'The timing is right to look to the future and bring together the fundamentals that will drive our economy forward.' - Dr Karleen Edwards
Council Chief Executive Dr Karleen Edwards said the creation of a single organisation would allow it to more clearly focus on maximising social and economic opportunities for the city.

“Reviewing the way we do things to support the city’s growth is an important part of the Council's processes. As the rebuild moves into a regeneration phase, the timing is right to look to the future and bring together the fundamentals that will drive our economy forward.

“That means thinking differently about how we approach the areas that make Christchurch such a vibrant, enjoyable and prosperous place to live.  The new organisation will allow us to build a stronger, combined approach to the delivery of the Christchurch Visitor Strategy, business investment, talent attraction, international education, and the city’s range of high-profile events,'' Dr Edwards said.

Other major cities that have a single organisation responsible for promoting tourism, events and economic development include Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.