Rental Cars New Zealand Christchurch branch operational after earthquake

Rental Cars New Zealand’s Christchurch airport car hire branch is back to business as normal after the devastating earthquake on February 22.

Located near the Christchurch International Airport, the Car Rentals New Zealand building was not damaged by the earthquake and the business was able to continue its operation almost immediately. However, due to the brief closure of the airport and the dramatic drop in tourist arrivals, the rental vehicle industry took an immediate hit.

The market picked up several weeks later as the airport re-opened and the shock of the earthquake began to wear off. Still, Rental Cars New Zealand expects a small decline in business this year, as international and domestic visitors to Christchurch are expected to drop. However, it has yet to be seen whether or not the earthquake will affect South Island tourism in the long-run.

Many of the South Island’s most popular destinations were untouched by the earthquake and only foresee minimal drops in business. Though Christchurch may be off the touristic map for a while, the South Island as a whole remains an attractive and viable destination.

Despite the destruction in Christchurch, the city’s airport remains the most used gateway to the South Island. Most visitors to attraction such as Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Akaroa and Kaikoura still arrive via Christchurch. So long as this remains the case, Rental Cars New Zealand’s Christchurch branch expects to continue operating at a profit.