Submission in response to Christchurch City Council's 'Home-share accommodation in Christchurch – District Plan options - discussion paper'

Abstract

This submission is made from my position as a senior academic researcher and expert in the area of hotel and tourism management, whose role is to critique and challenge present theory, policies, and practice and propose new thinking using sound research. This submission responds to the Christchurch City Council ‘Home Share Accommodation in Christchurch’ – District Plan Options, Discussion Paper’. However, it is framed within the broader context of the impact tourism has on the business and infrastructure environment, which, in part, is a result of available commercial and non-commercial accommodation for transient visitors, the broader context incudes: 1. Clearly defining what transient visitor accommodation is. 2. The need for a range of transient visitor accommodation. 3. A sustainable, permanent amount of transient visitor accommodation. 4. An appropriate and sustainable Local government funding for infrastructure provided by local government. To that end, the Christchurch City Council (CCC) should consider not only the immediate position (the content and context of the Discussion Paper), but consider solutions that address known future situations. Decisions made now on only immediate positions can be short-sighted and regretted if known future positions are not taken into account. This submission responds to the Options provided in the Discussion Paper and concludes with an alternative solution. Note: Since the opening of submissions to this Discussion Document I have been approached by a number of people involved in the non-commercial and commercial sectors seeking information/research related to this topic. Where appropriate information has been supplied and those parties have also been provided with a copy of my Submission.