You may be forgiven for assuming that every hotel that survived the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on February 22 would have made the best use of the crisis and charged ‘the earth’ for accommodation and food.
For, that is the norm in the hospitality industry – to optimise the occupancy rate and get the highest income over surging demand for food and beverage.
But Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport went out of its way to comfort people who fled from their homes and other places of accommodation, by either offering its services free of cost or charging a nominal amount. After all, they also have to survive.
Warren Barnes, the Hotel’s General Manager, said more than 900 people were provided with accommodation and food over the 24-hour period following the killer tremor.
Scores of Christchurch tourism businesses have pitched in to offer free or discounted services to visitors following the Christchurch earthquake on February 22.
“Hundreds of people arrived at the Sudima immediately after the earthquake seeking information and a place to shelter while they awaited flights out of the city. We offered free meals and provided pillows and bedding for the hundreds that wanted to stay the night. A free continental breakfast was also provided the next morning while people waited for the airport to re-open,” he said.
Care & Compassion
Our Christchurch Correspondent Dr George Abraham, who visited various parts of the City on the day of the quake, said that people were disparate to get out of Christchurch since they were evacuated from the hotels located in the CBD.
“But with the airport closed for flights and accommodation suddenly becoming scarce, people were in a state of shock, scare and despair. The news of an unknown number of people trapped in buildings did not help to calm their nerves. But the magnanimity shown by the management and staff of Sudima Hotel certainly helped the situation.
“The Hotel’s location near the Christchurch Airport, away from the City and Lyttelton, which took the brunt of the Earthquake, was a source of comfort. The Cantabrians also showed compassion and understanding that are the hallmarks of New Zealanders,” he said.
Mr Barnes said the Hotel staff worked all hours to keep panicking people consoled and comforted.
Selfless Service
Sudima Hotels New Zealand Chief Executive Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala said the Christchurch property became the hub of accommodation for the emergency crews arriving in Christchurch for rescue and relief operations. I am very proud of our team who worked tirelessly in spite of damages suffered to their own houses and properties,” he said.
His daughter Kanika, who was in Christchurch at the time, was also involved in serving guests and those affected by the Earthquake.
A number of people who stayed at the Hotel were happy to acknowledge the care and attention they received at a time when details about the Quake were sketchy.
The New Zealand Herald quoted Peter Johnston, a tourist from Britain, who was in Canterbury with his son Darren, as saying that the staff went out of their way to be of service.
“They gave us a blanket and a meal and you slept where you could. The staff and management were absolutely brilliant. If that is hospitality, then that was a bloody good example,” he said.
Hotel on full alert
Mr Jhunjhnuwala said the rush on the hotel has since subsided, with most people who were keen to leave Christchurch having done so.
“But we are on full alert and in readiness to offer support by accommodating earthquake emergency workers and damage assessors, as well as travellers to and from Canterbury,” he said.
On a related note, tourism officials, tour operators and airlines serving the Auckland International Airport anxiously await the official opening of the Sudima Hotel Auckland Airport in June.
Mr Jhunjhnuwala and his wife Laxmi conducted a religious ceremony at the new property on March 9.
“The 150-room, $30 million property would create up to 150 new jobs and conform to the clean and green environment. As well as meeting the accommodation needs of the visitors to the Rugby World Cup, the new Hotel will witness the return of the growth of the wider tourism industry,” he said.
