New Zealand Is Safe, Groups Implore

Tourism and hospitality associations are reassuring travelers that most of New Zealand is largely unaffected by Monday’s earthquake. A number of visitors were stuck in Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs, where the 7.5 magnitude quake struck.

But tour operators were rearranging itineraries for groups in that area, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive, Chris Roberts, said they did not want a repeat of what happened after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, where other regions unaffected by the quake saw a significant decline in visitors.

“Travel to North Canterbury is not currently advisable, but for Christchurch and elsewhere, we really hope people continue to travel for business and leisure.”

Roberts said New Zealand was still a safe place to visit.

“It would take time to determine when State Highway One would be open again, but there were options for alternative routes,” he said. Hospitality NZ chief executive, Vicki Lee, said a number of Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura businesses had big cleanups underway and were keen to get back on track.