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RE:START MALL: Part of what Mayor Bob Parker says makes Christchurch 'a city like no other in the world'.
Christchurch's earthquake recovery is winning global recognition and is set to make it one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
The city has won sixth spot in Lonely Planet's top ten cities for its 2013 Best in Travel, released today, the only New Zealand city to make the list.
The travel bible's annual ?best-of' publication identifies the best cities, regions and countries for the coming year and travel trends such as "the best place to do something new", "oddest food museums" and "the best place to hunt for buried treasure".
A Lonely Planet endorsement is seen as a massive boon to any city's tourism industry.
Christchurch is one of just three southern hemisphere centres on the list; the others are Hobart in Australia (7) and Puerto Iguazu in Argentina (10).
"Christchurch is bouncing back with a new energy and inventiveness," it says.
"The recovery effort is well under way and 2013 will be an intriguing year to join the rebirth of this proud southern city.
"In the city itself, exciting things are going on . . . live-music venues have popped up all over the place and innovative artworks fill empty demolition sites."
The Buskers Festival, Ellerslie Flower Show and Cup and Show Week events all rate a mention; the Gap Filler project is singled out and the Re:Start mall, listed under "Most Bizarre Sight", "sees retailers back in action on the fringe of the CBD in a colourful labyrinth of shipping containers".
Familiar phrases to Cantabrians such as "Student Volunteer Army", "Farmy Army" and "cardboard cathedral" appear as well.
Lonely Planet Asia-Pacific sales and marketing director Chris Zeiher said the "inventiveness, energy, enthusiasm" of Christchurch's quake recovery warranted its inclusion on the list.
"We wanted to infuse travellers with the sense of rebuild and fun that this place has in really embracing the challenges. We really wanted to get that across to our travellers.
"This is a city that's re-emerging. If you've been before it's going to be quite different . . . and you actually want to come and experience that."
The rating was based on what Christchurch would soon be, not what it was now, Zeiher said.
"I like the energy of what Christchurch is doing. You're . . . living with constant change and it's really exciting to see a city embrace that.
"We really can't think of any other city that's done this anywhere in the world."
Travellers were "incredibly surprised" by Christchurch, he said.
"They get here expecting one thing, because the images that they saw was of devastation, and when they come here they see a city that's quite vibrant and changing."
Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter welcomed the listing as "worthy recognition for the entire city.
"You've got this real energy and determination for people to get their lives back and to get all the stuff that they like back.
"Let's . . . use it to show we've got a bit of attitude here and we like doing things a bit differently. All that energy is really sending a signal to travellers that this is quite an interesting place to be."
International visitor nights in Christchurch had halved since the quakes, Hunter said, but a Lonely Planet mention could ease that and boost the city's position as the gateway to the South Island.
Gap Filler co-ordinator Coralie Winn, whose project won a ringing endorsement, said ephemeral attractions like theirs drew people to the central city.
"There's something that's very honest about what's happened here. It's very engaged with the situation. It's unique to this place."
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said Christchurch was "a city like no other in the world".
"There's a real energy and buzz in Christchurch which will intensify as the rebuild ramps up so it is an exciting time to visit."
Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain said the endorsement was "a real coup".
"This is exactly the sort of boost we needed."
- ? Fairfax NZ News
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/new-zealand/7845889/Travel-guide-hails-Chch-destination
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