Hoping to encourage tourism into Christchurch post-quake, local operators have unveiled new initiatives that focus on boosting travel into the South Island via the gateway city.

Teaming up with Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch International Airport (CIAL), Kirra Holidays has unveiled a portfolio of Ski itineraries that include the city’s popular winter resort Methven as well as a Discover Coach Tours campaign which focuses on a ten day South Panorama tour starting and ending in Christchurch.

"The support of key wholesalers such as Kirra Holidays and their agent partners around the world is vital to the ongoing success of the tourism industry in New Zealand,” CIAL general manager of aeronautical business development Matthew Findlay said.

“Christchurch is the national gateway to every reason why people visit New Zealand and the stunning South Island."

As well as pushing the city to consumers, Kirra has also announced a number of agent famils for the next six months which will cover Christchurch city.

Kirra Holidays sales manager Kristi Hermsen said firsthand experience would help spread the city’s regeneration currently in progress.

“We believe that for us and our agents, meeting the tourism industry face to face and experiencing the many activities on offer; and the ease of arrival into the country through gateway Christchurch is extremely important to all of our ongoing success,” she added.