Regional and sub-sector impacts of Canterbury earthquake sequence for tourism businesses
Caroline Orchiston, Erica Seville, John Vargo
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol 29, No. 4, October 2014
Abstract
The tourism industry suffered significant losses as a consequence of the Canterbury earthquake sequence. The sequence began in September 2010, followed by a significant aftershock in February 2011 that caused an unprecedented and sustained reduction in tourism arrivals to the city of Christchurch and the wider region. This paper reports empirical findings from an impact and recovery survey of Canterbury tourism operators one year after the earthquake sequence. Results illustrate the different impacts experienced across three tourism sub-sectors of activity/attraction, accommodation, and visitor transport. These were largely a consequence of location and degree of damage coupled with the drop in international visitor arrivals.