What Was The Impact Of The Christchurch Earthquake On Tourism?

Christchurch, a major entry point for visitors, experienced significant earthquakes in 2010-2011, leading to a structural shift in demand and reduced international visitor numbers. The tourism sector has experienced a structural shift in demand, with a larger proportion of inbound visitors choosing to arrive in the South Island via Christchurch International Airport. The earthquakes caused an unprecedented and sustained reduction in tourism arrivals to the city of Christchurch and the wider region.

The Canterbury earthquake sequence began in September 2010, followed by a significant aftershock in February 2011, causing an unprecedented and sustained reduction in tourism arrivals to the city of Christchurch and the wider region. 70 of operators reported a decline in international visitor arrivals to their business after the earthquakes. Some districts outside Christchurch reported a decline in revenue affected more than half of Impact Zone tourism businesses after September and February, particularly in Christchurch city and Banks.

The tourism industry suffered significant losses as a consequence of the Canterbury earthquake sequence. The sequence began in September 2010, followed by a significant aftershock in February 2011, causing an unprecedented and sustained reduction in tourism arrivals to the city of Christchurch and the wider region. Increased domestic and international visitor spending is followed by a measurable and significant increase in local GDP.

The earthquakes and aftershocks directly affected 460,000 people in the Canterbury region, resulting in 185 lives lost and injury, stress, and mental trauma. New Zealand’s booming tourism industry is at risk of being harmed by the South Island earthquakes, forcing the government and operators into damage control measures. Reduced visitor numbers were the most disruptive factor affecting tourism businesses from the earthquakes.

How does earthquake affect tourism?

Natural disasters and extreme weather patterns are significantly impacting tourism, with tour operators and conference events often canceling or suspending operations after disasters, such as the earthquake in Morocco in September 2023. The European Travel Commission reports that 7. 6 of travelers now consider extreme weather events a major concern for trips, particularly during the peak season from June to November.

This has led to changes in travel decisions, with some opting for cooler destinations to avoid heatwaves. A new normal is emerging in the age of climate change, with such events becoming more common and impacting tourism promotion, as seen in Australia pulling a tourism campaign due to wildfires.

What were the long-term effects of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake?

The Canterbury earthquakes were associated with a sustained elevation in anxiety disorder symptoms seven years following their initial occurrence, in addition to a gradual accumulation of common psychiatric disorders. The observed effects are relatively minor and may no longer be clinically significant, with a notable decline over time. The impact of major disasters on mental health has been the subject of extensive research.

How did the Christchurch earthquake change the Earth’s surface?

The alluvial plain’s gravel and sand soil is highly susceptible to liquefaction during earthquakes, acting as a liquid. The shaking re-arranges the gravel, compressing it and sinking the surface. This results in water being pushed out, creating fountains and mud and sand volcanoes. This phenomenon was reported in and around Christchurch on September 4. The NASA Earth Observatory image was created using data from the USGS Earthquake Hazard Program, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, and ocean bathymetry.

What are the effects of earthquakes on the earth’s surface?

Earthquakes can cause various damage, including ground shaking, soil liquefaction, landslides, fissures, avalanches, fires, and tsunamis. The severity of damage depends on magnitude, intensity, and duration. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidance on adapting preparedness and response plans for natural hazards, including recent public health emergencies like the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa and the Zika virus syndrome in Africa.

How did the earthquake affect tourism in Christchurch?

The Canterbury region has experienced a notable decline in accommodation capacity since the earthquakes, particularly in hotels and backpacker accommodation. In September 2011, international guest nights declined by 32, while domestic visitor numbers decreased by 23.

How is tourism affected by disasters?

After a disaster, authorities and travel operators must quickly and safely coordinate repatriations, evacuations, and displaced communities. Reduced visitor numbers can have a crippling effect on local businesses, and many destinations rely on tourism to add complexity to their recovery efforts. However, with the right mindset and action, travellers can be a part of the solution. Olivia Cryer, co-founder of The Conscious Travel Foundation, suggests that while governments suggest leaving the destination as a precaution, tourists are valuable on the ground if they are qualified emergency responders and have means to provide their services. If staying in a safe location, show humility and compassion and give your time to local operations that are actively asking for volunteer support.

How did the Christchurch earthquake affect the economy?

The September 2010 earthquake in New Zealand caused an estimated cost of NZ$5 billion in repair and rebuilding costs, largely unaffected by the financial markets. The cost of repairing damage caused by the aftershock sequence is significantly higher. The earthquake had significant impacts on the built and economic environment, with the financial markets remaining unaffected. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B. V., its licensors, and contributors.

How did the 2011 Christchurch earthquake affect tourism?

Tourism operators in Christchurch have reported reduced visitor numbers as the most disruptive factor since the earthquakes. However, some businesses are still struggling, with motels and holiday parks performing well. Revenue changes after the earthquakes are polarized and sector-dependent, with activity and attraction and visitor transport being more likely to have reduced revenue. Most operators throughout Canterbury report changes in visitor types, with 70 of them reporting a decline in international visitor arrivals. Some districts outside Christchurch have seen increased visitors from within the city, indicating the outflow of residents seeking respite from the earthquakes.

How did the quake affect the Earth’s Day?

The 2004 Indonesian earthquake accelerated Earth’s rotation by 1. 8 millionths of a second, while the 2004 earthquake sped up Earth’s day by 2. 68 microseconds. Earthquakes are not the only events affecting the Earth’s rotation speed. Seasonal weather, driving a car, and changes in sea levels also impact the rotation. The Moon’s movement away from Earth, which interacts with the Earth, causes the Earth to slow down, with occasional bursts of speed. Other factors, such as changing sea levels and Earth’s movement, also impact the Earth’s rotation speed.

How did the 2011 earthquake affect people?

The 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami caused significant damage, destroying over 123, 000 houses and causing damage to nearly a million more. The event, which accounted for 98. 8% of the damage, cost an estimated $220 billion USD, making it the most expensive natural disaster in history. The tsunami also affected coastal sea level gauges in over 25 Pacific Rim countries, Antarctica, and Brazil’s west coast.

Hawaii suffered $31 million USD damage, while California suffered $100 million USD in damages and recovery to marine facilities. Other areas affected included French Polynesia, Galapagos Islands, Peru, and Chile.

What were the impacts of the earthquake?

Earthquakes can cause various impacts, including structural damage to buildings, fires, damage to bridges and highways, slope failures, liquefaction, and tsunamis. The types of impacts depend on the location of the earthquake, whether it is predominantly urban or rural, densely or sparsely populated, highly developed or underdeveloped, and the infrastructure’s ability to withstand shaking.

The geological foundations of structures can significantly impact earthquake shaking. Seismic waves produced have a wide range of frequencies, with higher frequency waves absorbing energy by solid rock, while lower frequency waves pass through solid rock without being absorbed but are amplified by soft sediments. This results in worse earthquake damage in areas underlain by soft sediments. Building damage is also greatest in areas of soft sediments, with multi-storey buildings being more seriously damaged.

Buildings can be designed to withstand most earthquakes, but adherence to the code is poor. Turkey, for example, had a relatively strong building code in the 1990s, but adherence was poor due to builders using inappropriate materials and reducing steel reinforcing. The 1999 M7. 6 Izmit earthquake resulted in over 17, 000 deaths. Turkish authorities strengthened the building code, but enforcement is still weak, as demonstrated by the damage from a M7. 1 earthquake in eastern Turkey in 2011.