(Re)Creating spaces for tourism: Spatial effects of the 2010/ 2011 Christchurch earthquakes

Abstract

This paper applies an economic geographical perspective and Niche Construction Theory (NCT) to the spatial effects of the Christchurch earthquakes on the city’s tourism and hospitality spaces. An analysis of policy and planning documents, relevant reports, and twenty-four semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders forms the empirical basis. Niche Construction Theory (NCT) offers an analytical framework to interpret the environmental selection pressures and key stakeholders’ responses in the evolving environment. This paper illustrates the spatial reconstruction processes pertaining to urban tourism and the related hospitality industry after a major natural disaster. Emerging themes include displacement and relocation, demographic changes and market shifts for hospitality businesses.