New campaign encourages locals ‘to act like a visitor’

With the coronavirus pandemic impacting on local tourism operators and visitor attractions, ChristchurchNZ is launching a new campaign to encourage locals to “act like a visitor’’ and explore their own region.

The campaign will begin immediately and use digital platforms, including ChristchurchNZ's website.

In April it will also be launching a domestic campaign, using funding from the Government and Christchurch International Airport, to encourage Kiwis to visit Canterbury and the West Coast.

ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction, Loren Heaphy, said the aim of the campaigns was to “increase short-term visitation and help to fill empty slots in our operators’ activities”.

“We welcome the investment by Central Government to support the response to COVID-19. ChristchurchNZ is investing in domestic campaigns as part of a unified approach to offset the impact of COVID-19 on tourism,” Ms Heaphy said.

“The focus will be districts and operators most impacted by reduced Chinese visitor numbers and will feature tactical deal offerings in order to stimulate conversion to travel.”