How are cultural tourism service providers surviving in the post-earthquake context?

Abanti Antara

OverviewBackgroundDefinitionObjectives of ResearchResearch MethodologyResearch InsightsSummary

Background

BackgroundCultural Heritage TourismCultural heritage tourism includes historic and contemporary Culture

(Pitchford, 2008)

Heritage produces something new in the present that has recourse to the past.

Heritage tourism strategy encourages visitors to:• stay longer • spend more• make return visits• broaden the tourism base.

Some businesses establish their own history, e.g.: • Atlanta’s World of Coca Cola• Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum

Background

Background

Tourism Heritage CultureSustainable Economics

Benefits of Cultural Heritage Tourism

Facts about Christchurch

Christchurch: A tourist city, a quake cityPre-earthquake position:

Canterbury Earnings on Tourism $2.3 billion (MED, 2009)

Post earthquakes effects on tourism:killed 185 people (80 visitors)economic loss about $ 48million (2006-2010) $ 173million(2006-2011)(Simmons & Sleeman,2012)

Background

BackgroundDevelopment and Trend National vs Canterbury

Post quake Impact Christchurch attractions

Attraction % VisitorEngagement(pre-quake)

Current Situation

Future Situation

Cathedral Square 80% Closed Major demolitions to take place

Shopping 71% Retail severely reduced

Dependent on central city rebuild

Botanic Gardens 67% Operating New visitor centre

Arts Centre 66% Closed Unlikely to repaired or rebuilt for many years

Christchurch Cathedral 47% Closed Uncertain future on current site

Canterbury Museum 39% Re-opened

Christchurch Tram 30% Closed scheduled to re-open late 2013

Antarctic Centre 28% Open open

Christchurch Gondola 24% Closed Open, April 2013

Punting on Avon 17% Operating Restarted late 2012

Orana Park Operating Operating

Air Force Museum Operating Operating

Willowbank Operating Operating

Christchurch Art Gallery Closed Dependent on completion of repairs (2013)

Sources: Simmons& Sleeman (2012) & CCT updates

Background

BackgroundPost Quake Christchurch attractions(Google Map)

Objectives of ResearchHow does heritage tourism survive after a disaster?How have substitute heritage measures been used

to enable survival of tourism after a disaster?

Substitute Heritage Site Original Heritage Site

Christchurch Cathedral (www.christchurchcathedral.c

o.nz)

Cardboard Cathedral (http://www.cardboardcathedral.or

g.nz/)

Research MethodologyMethodology

Qualitative study investigating service providers in Christchurch

Data collection via interviews and document analysis

Data collection (in progress)

Heritage buildings

Cultural heritage

Heritage Experien

ce

Research Methodology

e.g., Christchurch Cathedral (www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz)

e.g., Isaac Theatre Royal (http://www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/)

e.g., Historic Christchurch Tram (http://www.tram.co.nz/)

Research Insights to be GainedDuring disaster

Post- disaster

short term

emergency

Post-disaster

long term recovery

Resolution

Pre-disaster preparati

on

Source: Faulkner & Vikulov (2001)

1

2

3

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Tourism Disaster Management Framework

SummaryRecommendations will assist local service

providers to overcome the current “heritage tourism gap”.

Other New Zealand destinations may benefit from recommendations in case of similar incidents occurring.

Recommendations may help to develop new strategies for post disaster heritage tourism.

Knowledge and learning for service providers, policy makers, related agencies, community and tourism researchers.

Thank you!!