NEW ZEALAND [TRAVEL + TOURISM]

[Mysteria]

Beautiful country! Would love to visit it someday!

[dutchmaster]

One of the most excited countries on earth...without a doubt.

[MelboyPete]

last time I visited NZ was in 1985...can't wait to go again hopefully next year and see how much it's changed/grown....loved Queenstown...was my favourite destination followed by Milford Sound in South Isl.

[ikops]

I would like to add Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier and the scenery around Mt. Cook.

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Mysteria

Beautiful country! Would love to visit it someday!

Thank you, I hope that you get to our shores sooner rather than later. Thanks for the comment.

Originally Posted by dutchmaster

One of the most excited countries on earth...without a doubt.

That is very sweet of you - thanks

Originally Posted by MelboyPete

last time I visited NZ was in 1985...can't wait to go again hopefully next year and see how much it's changed/grown....loved Queenstown...was my favourite destination followed by Milford Sound in South Isl.

Wow, that is a long time ago .... people were still dressing as if it was 1975, the only cup of coffee you could get was instant coffee, Auckland's tallest building was 22 floors, the buses were old and rusted

Queenstown is my favourite followed by Mount Maunganui, Wellington, Christchurch and Akaroa. Thanks for the comment.

Originally Posted by ikops

I would like to add Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier and the scenery around Mt. Cook.

I have been in the country for 5 years and I still haven't been to any of the above - a shame really. Everybody raves about them. Thanks for the heads up.

[barcelonahotels]

Great shots.They are Simply beautiful

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by barcelonahotels

Great shots.They are Simply beautiful

I wish that I could claim them as my own but I must agree, they are great photographs indeed Thanks for the comment mate.

[SYDNEY]

New Zealand is one of the World's lifestyle superpowers

New Zealand is "one of the great lifestyle superpowers of the world" according to the BBC's Sydney correspondent Nick Bryant, who wonders in a post on bbc.co.uk why the rest of the world can't be more like little ol' Aotearoa. Bryant's thoughts, penned following a recent visit to our shores, were prompted by an encounter with "a middle-aged customs official with a sense of humour", the discovery that New Zealand has a 24-hour rugby channel, our "funky" arts scene and the "quaint fastidiousness" which still sees cricket commentators convene on the boundary during the tea break to enjoy - of all things, a pot of tea.

He points out too, that New Zealand can be "edgy and forward", citing the fact we were the first country in the world to give women the vote and the impending launch of the "world's most comprehensive emissions trading scheme to curb greenhouse gases". "Best of all, perhaps, is how non-indigenous New Zealanders live in such harmony with their indigenous compatriots," writes Bryant, whose piece is among the most-read articles on bbc.co.uk today. "Next year [New Zealand] hosts the Rugby World Cup," he concludes, "but for now I will leave this country with my usual parting thought: 'Why can't the rest of the world be more like New Zealand?'"

Earlier this year, an index compiled by International Living magazine ranked new Zealand as the fifth-best country in the world to live in. The index ranks 194 countries, taking into account cost of living, culture and leisure, economy, environment, freedom, health, infrastructure, safety and risk, and climate. New Zealand's "pristine landscapes", the Auckland waterfront and the Southern Alps were singled out for special mention.

Last year's UN Human Development Report, which calculates the well-being of people in 182 countries by taking into account life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and GDP per capita, ranked New Zealand 20th.

[SYDNEY]

Air New Zealand is the World's 5th favourite Airline

image hosted on flickr

By Fly for Fun

Over 17.9 million passengers have cast their vote for the world's top airlines in a Skytrax survey and Air New Zealand was ranked the 4th best.

[SYDNEY]

Queenstown ahead in beds


image hosted on flickr

By boney10

Research released today (11 June) shows Queenstown has once again topped the country as New Zealand’s destination of choice. According to Statistics New Zealand’s April Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) total visitor nights were up 208,168 or 13.5 per cent, domestic visitor nights were up 1.8 per cent to 71,838 and international visitor nights were up 20.8 per cent to 136,330 compared to the same time last year. Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt says it’s good to see visitor numbers consistently tracking up and particularly positive to see growth again in the domestic market. “It’s a good indication that the local tourism industry supporting Destination Queenstown’s DQ’s True Colours autumn campaign is working. April is one of Queenstown’s most beautiful times of the year and we’re delighted more people are choosing to visit in what’s traditionally a quieter period.”

John McIlwain, the head of Queenstown’s Hotel Association, is also happy with the results. Local hotel guest nights were up 18.8 per cent compared to the same time last year. “It’s very pleasing to see international business continue to produce solid results but we also need to keep in mind that Easter and the bi-annual Warbirds over Wanaka fell in April this year. However, as we move into the traditionally quieter months of May and June, there are some positive signs that occupancy levels over the quieter months will be better than last year.”

[Pegasusbsb27]

Jesus! The last picture is in page 1 absolutely impressive! Wow! a sea of mountains!

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Pegasusbsb27

Jesus! The last picture is in page 1 absolutely impressive! Wow! a sea of mountains!

I agree, it is amazing

[SYDNEY]

Visitor arrivals hit 2.5 million


image hosted on flickr

by stuartashall

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand were 2.501 million in the June 2010 year, the first time 2.5 million has been surpassed, Statistics New Zealand said today. "This milestone was almost reached in 2008, but the global economic downturn contributed to a decline in visitor numbers after a peak of 2.497 million in the March 2008 year," Population Statistics manager Bridget Hamilton-Seymour said. The 2 million visitor mark was reached in the November 2002 year, and the 1 million mark in the April 1992 year. Visitors from Australia accounted for 1.119 million or 45 percent of all visitors in the June 2010 year. A further 25 percent of visitors came from four countries; the United Kingdom (248,900), the United States (194,000), China (105,200), and Japan (83,600).

Visitor arrivals in the June month were 145,800, up 8 percent from June 2009. There were more visitors from Australia, and visitor numbers from China, Japan, and Korea recovered after the H1N1 pandemic affected arrivals from those countries in June 2009. Fewer visitors arrived from the United Kingdom and the United States. In June 2010, New Zealand residents departed on 198,800 overseas trips, 13 percent more than in June 2009. There were more trips to Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. In the June 2010 year, New Zealand residents took 1.968 million overseas trips.

[SYDNEY]

Lonely Planet has New Zealand covered


image hosted on flickr

by Compot

“You probably know all about the scenic side of New Zealand – the NZ of tourist ads, Lord of the Rings and nature documentaries. You may also know about its reputation as an action-adventure destination. This is, after all, a nation that is so dedicated to doing odd things with bits of rubber and plastic that it invented bungy jumping, black-water rafting and zorbing. Some of you may even know about NZ’s anti-nuclear stand, its passion for rugby, its fondness for sheep. Maybe you’ve tucked into some NZ lamb, spread NZ butter on your toast or downed a particularly zingy bottle of Marlborough sauvignon blanc.”

Lonely Planet is releasing four New Zealand titles in the coming months, starting with the Country Guide New Zealand in September, followed by two Regional Guides New Zealand’s North Island and New Zealand’s South Island in October and Discover New Zealand in November.

[SYDNEY]

EDIT

[italiano_pellicano]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Travellers name NZ second-best destination in the World

1:45 PM Friday Sep 4, 2009

image hosted on flickr

by f0rbe5

New Zealand has been named the second-favourite destination in the world by readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine. The publication's annual Readers' Travel Awards rank everything from cities, countries and islands to tour operators and spas. New Zealand topped the 'favourite countries' list last year but was pushed into second place this year by Italy, which the magazine's readers identified as having the best food, culture and climate in the world. Each country was given a mark out of 100, with Italy this year scoring an impressive 95.55. New Zealand's score was 95.18. Rounding out the top five were Turkey (94.84), Australia (94.47) and France (94.31).

Luxury Glenorchy hotel Blanket Bay was named the best leisure hotel in Australasia and the South Pacific, with Taupo's Huka Lodge, the Wairarapa's Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers also making the top 20. Local carrier Air New Zealand also performed well in the awards, being named second-best airline for long-haul leisure travel. First place in that category was taken by Virgin Atlantic, with Qantas, British Airways and India's Kingfisher Airlines making up the top five. Air New Zealand was also singled out as having the best in-flight catering of all the long-haul carriers.

In addition to identifying winners in each category, the travel awards features a 'Top 100' list, which ranks the destinations and experiences according to the score they were given - regardless of the individual categories. This year's winner is the island of Sicily, which received a score of 95.70 out of a possible 100. New Zealand's score on the 'best countries' list gave it a spot at number four and Blanket Bay's score of 94.44 in the 'best hotels' category placed it at number 10 on the 'Top 100' list.

Best countries

1. Italy 2. New Zealand 3. Turkey 4. Australia 5. France 6. Egypt 7. USA 8. South Africa 9. Spain 10. Morocco 11. Greece 12. Mexico 13. India 14. Canada 15. Thailand 16. Brazil 17. Argentina 18. Sweden 19. Portugal 20. Kenya

Best long-haul leisure airlines

1. Virgin Atlantic 2. Air New Zealand 3. Qantas 4. British Airways 5. Kingfisher Airlines 6. Singapore Airlines 7. Emirates 8. Etihad Airways 9. Thai Airways 10. Cathay Pacific

Overall best destinations and experiences

1. Sicily (Island) 2. Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India (Hotel) 3. Italy (Country) 4. New Zealand (Country) 5. New York (City) 6. Maldives (Island) 7. Turkey (Country) 8. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Italy (Hotel) 9. Australia (Country) 10. Blanket Bay, Glenorchy, New Zealand (Hotel)

italy the best destination

amazing new zealand thanks for the pics

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by italiano_pellicano

italy the best destination

amazing new zealand thanks for the pics

No worries mate, you are most welcome - and yes, Italy is one of my two most favourite European destinations

[SYDNEY]

July visitor arrivals reach record levels


image hosted on flickr

By Wandering World

The numbers of overseas visitors coming to New Zealand in July was up four per cent on last year bringing visitor arrivals to record levels, according to Statistics New Zealand figures released today. A total of 182,900 people visited New Zealand in July, the highest number of visitors ever recorded for the month, Statistics New Zealand said today. The increase in visitor numbers was driven by a large increase in visitors from China, with 3900 more entering the country compared with last July. Visitors from Japan and Australia also increased, with 2800 more Japanese and 1600 more Australians visiting compared to last July

In the year to July there was a total 2.508 million visitors with those from Australia accounting for 45 per cent or 1.121 million of those. Population Statistics manager Bridget Hamilton-Seymour said the numbers of visitor arrivals coming from Asia was recovering from the impact of the swine flu epidemic. "Although visitor numbers from Japan and Korea have only partially recovered after the H1N1 pandemic affected travel from those countries in July 2009, visitor arrivals from China have now exceeded levels before the pandemic," Hamilton-Seymour said.

The numbers of New Zealanders heading overseas also increased in July largely due to increased numbers of people visiting Australia. In July, New Zealand residents departed on 208,000 overseas trips, an increase of five per cent compared to July 2009. An extra 7700 New Zealanders visited Australia in the month. In July permanent long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 1000 on seasonally adjusted basis, Statistics New Zealand said. In the July 2010 year New Zealand had a net migration gain of 15,200 down from a recent peak of 22,600 in the January 2010 year. The main inflows of migrants were from the United Kingdom, India, and China. Considerably fewer New Zealanders were migrating to Australia with an outflow of 16,500 migrants to Australia since July 2009, compared to 26,900 in the previous year.

[Master of Disguise]

New Zealand is truly magnificent...such a beautiful country and equally good people...

With love from India

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Master of Disguise

New Zealand is truly magnificent...such a beautiful country and equally good people...

With love from India

Thank you Master of Disguise ..... with love from NZ