Christchurch Earthquake (22 February 2011) update....

 Innovative Travel - Post Earthquake Premises

In early March we moved into our post earthquake premises situated in the Tourplan building on Sir William Pickering Drive close to the Airport.  This part of Christchurch is one of the areas that suffered minimal damage, so we are feeling very few of the aftershocks.  Sir William Pickering Drive is now also home to quite a few other businesses who have been displaced from the central city.
Elhamy Elzayat (Cairo based business partner of The Innovative Travel Company) visiting Christchurch from Egypt had a chance to visit our former premises in Innovative House which is sadly still inside the Red Cordon (pictured above at the cordon) and our new premises (pictured above with the team).
Recently we held a function at the new office to welcome Christchurch Agents to our new 'home' - but for all of you not in Christchurch we have added some photos.
So ... apart from the new surroundings, it's business as usual -  so keep those new bookings coming!

The Innovative Travel story

Our building, like most of the CBD, was badly shaken; however the team and their families are all safe.
The damage to property and infrastructure such as roads, power, water, sewerage etc however is extensive and it will take a long time for the CBD to be repaired. 
At present - and probably for some time to come - our building is inside the 'red' cordoned off area.  Three buildings over the road from our premises have been demolished (the photo 2nd from left above shows the damage prior to demolition), as have a lot of other buildings in the CBD.  This is currently a priority and is being done for the safety of all concerned due to the frequent and ongoing after shocks.

We are pleased to advise that our server, computer, phone systems and files were retrieved quickly and currently our staff are all working remotely.  New temporary premises have been secured, and we will be moving in shortly.

So - what can you do to help? - if you have a choice of travel provider, then choose to deal with a Christchurch business!

Christchurch City
If you followed the TV news footage after the 6.5 February 2011 earthquake you will be aware of the loss of life and damage to the city - still being repaired after the 7.1 quake in September 2010. 
Currently roads are rapidly being repaired in the suburbs, and power, water & sewerage is on again to most of the city due to the long hours worked by all the companies concerned.
The photo's on this page are all taken by our team in and around their suburbs soon after the quake.

Tourism will be affected in the short term to Christchurch - but the remainder of Canterbury (Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs etc), the South Island, and New Zealand is fine, and we are encouraging tourists to continue visiting our beautiful country.  Christchurch airport - the gateway to the South Island - was undamaged.

Help us by continuing to visit Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand for an amazing holiday experience