Christchurch's broken city reputation is still hurting the local tourism industry.

Hospitality NZ's regional accommodation chair Bob Pringle said the ongoing issues such as the Cathedral and the road network give the city a bad reputation.

He said international travel agents are now telling travellers to bypass Christchurch, and head straight to Queenstown.

"I think we are missing a lot of potential for a ski field because they also need the people and the restaurants and bars also need the people."

Pringle said there are always rooms available in Canterbury, and it's not a golden egg.

"I don't think there is really the demand there now because over 95 percent from Christchurch last year was only about 22 or 23 days."