As Christchurch moves on with the rebuilding of the city, concern is growing about the state of the region's economy.
Low fare airline Air Asia X's first flight has landed in the city, just in time to help boost the weakening economy.
Every day more jobs are being lost and when the rescue package runs out in seven weeks many are expected to go on the benefit.
Air Asia X's first flight to Christchurch brought not only 300 tourists, but also jobs and extra revenue.
At a ceremony today, Mayor Bob Parker welcomed the Malaysian airline.
“Air Asia X means jobs for people in the city and we desperately need those. These are very hard economic times for a lot of families in Christchurch,” he says.
The airline's not only offering New Zealanders low fares to Kuala Lumpur and beyond, but four flights are scheduled a week - bringing tens of thousands of tourists into the city.
And it's donating $10 from every ticket sold to the rebuilding of Christchurch.
“It's heaven sent at the moment. It's fantastic. Our international arrivals have been down 20 percent a week since the earthquake, this opens up new markets for Christchurch and Canterbury,” says Canterbury Tourism’s Tim Hunter.
But the tourists won't be able to spend their money at the Christchurch Casino.
Hundreds are set to lose their jobs there, 500 staff were told today they can either take redundancy or take un-paid leave until the casino is able to re-open.
“One of the issues we have to discuss with the casino is whether they can re-open their licence at another location, we are having to do that with a number of things at the present time,” says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.
With the CBD out of action for months, Brownlee's confirmed the Government is looking at setting up structures elsewhere for businesses.
3 News understands the new temporary CBD could cost the Government up to $20m.
And local labour MP Clayton Cosgrove is warning of another financial drain for the Government, a tidal wave of people about to go on the dole.
So it's no wonder Canterbury and the Government are keen to lure as many paying tourists to the region as possible.
Source: www.3news.co.nz
Low fare airline Air Asia X's first flight has landed in the city, just in time to help boost the weakening economy.
Every day more jobs are being lost and when the rescue package runs out in seven weeks many are expected to go on the benefit.
Air Asia X's first flight to Christchurch brought not only 300 tourists, but also jobs and extra revenue.
At a ceremony today, Mayor Bob Parker welcomed the Malaysian airline.
“Air Asia X means jobs for people in the city and we desperately need those. These are very hard economic times for a lot of families in Christchurch,” he says.
The airline's not only offering New Zealanders low fares to Kuala Lumpur and beyond, but four flights are scheduled a week - bringing tens of thousands of tourists into the city.
And it's donating $10 from every ticket sold to the rebuilding of Christchurch.
“It's heaven sent at the moment. It's fantastic. Our international arrivals have been down 20 percent a week since the earthquake, this opens up new markets for Christchurch and Canterbury,” says Canterbury Tourism’s Tim Hunter.
But the tourists won't be able to spend their money at the Christchurch Casino.
Hundreds are set to lose their jobs there, 500 staff were told today they can either take redundancy or take un-paid leave until the casino is able to re-open.
“One of the issues we have to discuss with the casino is whether they can re-open their licence at another location, we are having to do that with a number of things at the present time,” says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.
With the CBD out of action for months, Brownlee's confirmed the Government is looking at setting up structures elsewhere for businesses.
3 News understands the new temporary CBD could cost the Government up to $20m.
And local labour MP Clayton Cosgrove is warning of another financial drain for the Government, a tidal wave of people about to go on the dole.
So it's no wonder Canterbury and the Government are keen to lure as many paying tourists to the region as possible.
Source: www.3news.co.nz
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