Christchurch will suffer from a lack of three star plus and four star hotel rooms even when all the properties which have indicated they will rebuild have been completed.
To varying degrees, the three star, four star plus and five star markets will return to relative normality by mid 2014.
But there will be 1000 fewer rooms in three star plus and four star categories.
Bruce Garrett, general manager of The George Hotel in Christchurch and Tourism Industry Association regional chairman, said overall the city will have 60% of its previous capacity by mid 2014.
“But a couple of properties have yet to make announcements about whether they are going to be demolished and rebuild so potentially there is another 10% to 12% of rooms that may well re-open, so in late 2014 we could have 75% of pre-quake hotel capacity,” he said.
“That 60% of pre-quake capacity is ample for the winter months especially until the new convention centre is up and running, but it may be a little tight over peak months.”
But speaking at TRENZ in Queenstown, Garrett said Christchurch had too many rooms prior to the tragedy with average room rates dropping until 2010.
Occupancies are currently up around 85% “but that means there is 15% left which means there are on average 120 hotel rooms available in Christchurch everyday,” Garrett added.
Christchurch room drought to continue
