NEW ZEALAND [TRAVEL + TOURISM]

[SYDNEY]

The Hobbit will be filmed in New Zealand

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Hobbiton, New Zealand by Rob & Jules, on Flickr

The Hobbit will be made in New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key has announced. He said at a press conference this evening that legislation would be introduced to Parliament tomorrow to support this. It will apply only to the film industry. Mr Key also announced The Hobbit will get a $15 million tax rebate - $7.5m per film - and said he would be surprised if the films were the last to be made by Warners in New Zealand. The future of the $670 million production hung in the balance after an actors union issued a no-work order on the films last month. Talks were held overnight with studio executives from Warner Brothers to resolve concerns about industrial laws in New Zealand. But the studio was also holding out for a bigger tax subsidy from the Government. The film's executive producer Sir Peter Jackson would "be a very happy camper" Mr Key said at the announcement. The movie will premiere in New Zealand and the Government would plan a major campaign promoting the country to coincide with its launch, Mr Key said. "It's good to have the uncertainty over, and to have everyone now full steam ahead on this project." He said he thought the Government had got the package right. A memorandum of understanding with Warner Brothers was signed at around 7pm tonight. It was "unacceptable" to the New Zealand public to have the film go offshore, he said. He believed the new legislation would not take rights off workers. Without those changes to the law it was a no go, Mr Key said. "I am delighted we have achieved this result," Mr key said. It will safeguard work for thousands and "put New Zealand on the world stage". National already have the backing of the ACT party and United Future for the legislation and are talking to the Maori party. They will also discuss the changes with Labour, he said. Mr Key was returning to his office to call Sir Peter Jackson. He had not spoken to him since yesterday morning.

[SYDNEY]

Tutukaka among the top 3 rated coastlines in the world

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New Zealand - Tutukaka Coast, Whale Bay by vtveen, on Flickr

The Tutukaka Coast is one of the top three coastlines in the world, according to the prestigious National Geographic Traveler. The coastline was named equal second best with the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales and pipped for the top spot by the remote, austere Avalon coast on Canada's Newfoundland. Local tourism operators say money could not buy the kudos given Tutukaka Coast by the magazine's finding. New Whangarei District Council member Jeroen Jongejans - co-owner and founder of award winning Dive! Tutukaka, chairman of the Tourism Development Group and Northland Conservation Board member - said there was no doubt it would benefit the district.

"The biggest message to take from Traveler's high ranking is its confidence in the sustainability of this destination," Mr Jongejans said. Further development must not impact negatively on ecological, scenic and cultural values, and must built on relationships between iwi and business that created jobs, he said. "We need everyone to be more aware of the jewel we have and the potential to create an exciting and sustainable economy based on it." In their summaries, several Traveler panelists expressed concern about the cultural status given to or demanded by iwi.

"Physical and environmental heritage is likely to stay intact. I worry for the cultural more. Early Maori fortified villages or 'pa' should receive more conservation attention," wrote one. The ranking should lure more domestic and international visitors, Mr Jongejans said. At present 75 per cent of tourists to New Zealand arrive in Auckland but only 17 per cent come to Northland. Great Barrier Island was rated in 15th place by Traveler, and was the only other New Zealand location on the list of 99. Traveler editor Jonathan B. Tourtellot said it was "not a popularity contest".

[quynhvietnam]

nice introduction about country...

[quynhvietnam]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Travel & Leisure's top spots to spend Christmas - KAIKOURA

NZ HERALD
4:00 AM Thursday Dec 24, 2009

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by Mollivan Jon

A small New Zealand town has been named in a global travel magazine as one of the top spots in the world to spend Christmas. Kaikoura was the only New Zealand place to feature in a Travel and Leisure list of locations for the festive season. Kaikoura was chosen because of its picturesque setting, the attraction of sunbathing on Christmas Day, and for the opportunities to see a plethora of sealife along the rugged east coast of the South Island. "The Kaikoura peninsula may not have reindeer, but it is teeming with sperm whales, fur seals, dusky dolphins, pilot whales, and albatross in Kaikoura Bay," the article said.

The magazine also praised the region's eco-tourism accommodation options, naming Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses as places to stay. Kaikoura District Council's John MacPhail, who chairs the tourism development committee, said the article was unlikely to influence tourists' travel plans this summer, but it was a boost nonetheless. "It's nice to be included and noted up there - we believe it's a great spot to be whether it's Christmas or not. It's recognised as an international destination, and that's quite a coup for us." Mr MacPhail was not surprised by the accolade, as the region's whale-watching ventures had drawn global media attention for years.

He said Kaikoura had the strong marketing angle of both a majestic, snow-tipped mountain range and a crystal-blue coastline full of wildlife. Meanwhile, Britain's Sunday Times travel editor, Ed Grenby, said New Zealand "didn't even exist" as a travel destination 10 years ago. "Certainly, nobody ever actually went there - well, why would you, when you could do Australia instead?" But he said the exposure of New Zealand's natural beauty in the Lord of the Rings trilogy woke the world up to the country.

"[It is] the ruggedest, prettiest, friendliest, most cultured, least crowded, most adrenaline-burning, most serenely peaceful, best-value-booze-and-foodiest, most just-plain-wonderful holiday destination in the world ... the once-in-a-lifetime trip you should aim to do every few years."

so great................

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by quynhvietnam

nice introduction about country...

Thank you and thanks for the comments

[SYDNEY]

Wellington is The coolest little capital on this planet.

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Wellington, New Zealand by Eddie1974, on Flickr

Move over London, Rome and Paris – Wellington is the world's coolest capital city. Lonely Planet has named our capital the fourth best city in which to travel in the world, behind New York, Tangier and Tel Aviv. It is the first time a New Zealand city has made it into the annual Best in Travel publication – a collection of the world's best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences. In the sixth edition, released today, the publication refers to Wellington under the banner of "coolest little capital in the world". Positively Wellington Tourism chief executive David Perks said sharing the top five with cities such as New York and Tel Aviv was priceless recognition. "To have Lonely Planet – a global brand respected for frank opinions and having its finger on the pulse – come out and refer to Wellington as the `coolest little capital in the world' and among the top 10 cities you must visit for 2011 is quite simply incredible."

It is perfect timing for the city as businesses prepare for an action-packed calendar in 2011. About 85,000 international visitors are expected in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup. Other highlights include the third Visa Wellington On a Plate in August and an extended season of the Montana World of WearableArt show, which will lead into the World Cup kickoff. In November, the city is hosting hundreds of writers for the Society of American Travel Writers conference. Prime Minister John Key said Wellington was a great place to live, and even put a positive spin on our notorious wind. "Actually I thoroughly enjoy going around the harbour when it's blustery and windy. It has a kind of New Zealand feel to it.

"For all the hard time Wellington gets about its weather, I think it adds to the dimension of the place that it has quite a good feel to it in that regard." However, asked if he preferred it to Auckland, he replied: "That's a big stretch." Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, who moved to Wellington from Britain in 1983, said she thought Wellington's strength lay in the combination of "wilderness" and city living. "You don't have to choose arts or sports, or between culture or wilderness, because it's all there." Lonely Planet, the world's biggest travel guide company, has sold millions of copies of hundreds of titles since it began in 1972.

[SYDNEY]

Poor Knights Islands one of the world's top nature sites

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Dive Buddy - Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand by Matt001, on Flickr

The Poor Knights Islands off the Northland coast have been declared one of the top 10 places to see nature at its finest. The Guardian newspaper reported Emmy Award-winning director and producer of wildlife documentaries Nick Stringer had included the Poor Knights in the Bay of Islands on his list of the world's 10 best places to see nature. The Poor Knights were listed in ninth place. Stringer said he was in the Bay of Islands for only a few days but it was a memorable visit. He said it was not hard to see why Jacques Cousteau rated it one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. It was a journey well worth making.

His list of the world's top 10 places to get the best of nature was:

1.
Kalahari Desert, Namibia, for big cats and meerkats.

2.
The Danum Valley, Borneo, for orangutans and gibbons.

3.
Shark Bay, Western Australia, for wild dolphins and dugongs.

4.
Yellowstone National Park, for grizzly bears, moose and wolves.

5.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, for tree-climbing lions, elephants and hippos.

6.
West coast of Scotland for bird watching.

7.
Al Hajar Mountains, Oman, for mountain life and endemic species.

8.
Canaima National Park, Venezuela, for the adventurous.

9.
Poor Knights Islands for divers.

10.
South Downs, England, for appreciating wildlife in your back garden.

National Geographic Traveller named the Tutukaka Coast one of the top three coastlines in the world.

[SYDNEY]

Hilton signs Queenstown deal

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Ducks, Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown by Stupie, on Flickr

Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of management agreements for two new-build Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties in Queenstown. The signing of these agreements marks the brand's entry into the town and expands the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio in New Zealand to four hotels. The development will include a 178-room 5-star hotel to be named Hilton Queenstown and a 4-star hotel, featuring 98 one-bedroom apartment-style rooms, to be known as the "Kawarau Hotel, Managed by Hilton". Construction on both hotels is well underway with completion expected next year.

[SYDNEY]

Rotorua lodge among world's best honeymoon spots

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Winter Sunrise by jillybeanknits, on Flickr

First it was one of the top 10 places to propose. Now Rotorua's Lake Okareka Lodge has gone a step further and been named one of the top 10 honeymoon destinations in the world. It is ranked among the top with hotels from France, Italy and Dubai. Australian website hotelscombined.com compiled the Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations from a range of hotels from 220 countries around the world and Lake Okareka Lodge was placed at number 6. In January this year, the lodge was also named one of the top 10 places to propose by the same website.

Manager of Lake Okareka Lodge Diana Moore said she was thrilled the lodge was on the list alongside such good properties and locations. "I'm absolutely over the moon." Other hotels on the list include the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, the Mystique Hotel Santorini in Greece and the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. HotelsCombined business development manager Vicki Byrne compiled the top 10 destinations. She said she looked at reviews for hotels as well as what country destinations would be great for honeymooners, then looked at what accommodation would be suitable.

Relaxation factor was a high priority when choosing honeymoon hotels, she said. Ms Byrne said they chose Lake Okareka Lodge because of its secluded location. "It's on its own and in a natural surrounding, which gives couples somewhere to escape." She said it was great how couples could be as relaxed or as adventurous as possible, with the option of using kayaks and jet skis. "I imagined it like a James Bond movie," she said. Ms Moore said the lodge was quite popular with honeymooning couples. "We've had quite a few couples in the last couple of years."

She said she thought the location at the end of a small peninsula in Lake Okareka was a key reason for being chosen as a honeymoon resort by HotelsCombined. "I think we are quite popular for the fact that we are set in an idyllic location which is secluded and bush clad." She said the best suite, Lake Okareka Suite, had views of the lake from both sides, and there was no mobile phone reception meaning people could get away from it all. The lodge has only three suites, with a maximum of nine guests being able to stay at one time. Ms Moore said she was pretty confident the lodge's inclusion in the list would help attract more overseas guests.

She said the majority of guests to the lodge were from overseas. Right now, the lodge is in its busy season and Ms Moore had had a number of inquiries recently from places like Russia and India. However, only a small percentage of guests were from New Zealand, she said. She thought this was because of the cost. "We are at the top end in terms of prices and rates."

[SYDNEY]

Record Chinese arrivals boost November tourism numbers

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Lupin Fields Glenorchy, New Zealand by Victoria M Moseley, on Flickr

November was a good month for tourism, with monthly and annual numbers both up 3%, thanks to increased visitors from China and Korea. "Arrivals from China – at 14,900, up 3800 – were a record for a November month," Population Statistics manager Bridget Hamilton-Seymour says. "However, the increase in visitors from Korea – up 3800 to 6200 – was only a partial recovery, with levels still less than half the November record of 14,100 in 1996." The numbers coming from Korea now exceed those of Germany to become the sixth-highest source of visitors to New Zealand, a position it lost after the May 2009 year. They also offset the drop in visitors from the UK. The numbers fell 3300 over the year to 21,200 last month, the lowest number of visitor arrivals from the UK for a November month since 2001.

[SYDNEY]

NZ the place to be, says CNN survey

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Matapouri by -stereographic-, on Flickr

We're living in the place to be for 2011, according to CNN. New Zealand has been named among the top nine destinations for next year by the global broadcasting network - at number 2 behind New York. CNN, which consulted Lonely Planet US editor Robert Reid, guidebook creator Pauline Frommer and travel firm executive Martin Rapp, said the Rugby World Cup was adding excitement to an already popular destination. "Wellington, which brands itself as the 'coolest little capital in the world', will host some of the activities and hopes to attract fans who want to explore other parts of the country," CNN reported. It quoted Reid as saying Wellington was "a great kind of springboard" and that he was planning a visit and determined to learn the haka. CNN said the film industry was thriving in New Zealand, referring to Sir Peter Jackson's latest work on The Hobbit and his success with The Lord of the Rings.

The network said Rapp also recommended New Zealand for its "most fantastically luxurious lodges", including The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay, Huka Lodge near Taupo and Otahuna Lodge in Canterbury. New York was top of CNN's list: "A huge tourist destination in any year, the city will be especially unforgettable as it marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks next year." The National September 11 Memorial is expected to open before the anniversary. "It's going to be a massive moment for New York," Reid said. "It feels like the healing begins." Other countries to make the list include Norway, Albania and Japan. Reid said Albania gave tourists a taste of the Mediterranean without the crowds and prices. It would not remain off the beaten track for long.

And a holiday to Japan was cheaper than New York. "Why go in 2011? [Japan] is ramping up its tourism marketing efforts after some recent disappointing years, so the number of visitors is expected to rise soon," said CNN. Said Reid: "We think that the crowds are going to get worse. Maybe it's time to think about it now."

CNN TOP DESTINATIONS:

1 - New York

2 - New Zealand

3 - Peruvian Amazon

4 - Barcelona, Spain

5 - Norway

[harrypinto11]

If you are looking to discover New Zealand on your own, then our self drive touring holidays are for you. Every journey is unique, every journey designed for you and in New Zealand many natural and other places for travel. I would like to go there next year.

[SYDNEY]

NZ's top destinations get a shake up

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Auckland Skyline by Roving Kiwi, on Flickr

Auckland has topped the 2010 list of New Zealand's top travel destinations followed by the capital city - which knocked quake-ravaged Christchurch out of second place. That's according to accommodation website Wotif.com, which released its top 20 list today, based on domestic bookings online. Last year, Auckland also claimed the top spot, followed by Christchurch and Wellington. Wotif spokeswoman Megan Magill said there was a lot of "jostling" this year. "We've compiled the list based on bookings made by both leisure and business travellers in New Zealand throughout 2010 and have noticed a few changes compared to last year," she said. Franz Josef glacier was a new addition to this year's list at number 20, while Paihia, Wanaka and Invercargill all moved up the list. The North and South Islands were equally represented in the top 20, with 10 destinations from each region.

New Zealand's top 10 destinations in 2010:


1. Auckland

2. Wellington

3. Christchurch

4. Queenstown

5. Rotorua

6. Dunedin

7. Taupo

8. Hamilton

9. Napier

10. Palmerston North

11. Nelson

12. Paihia

13. Tauranga

14. Wanaka

15. Te Anau

16. New Plymouth

17. Hanmer Springs

18. Invercargill

19. Blenheim

20. Franz Josef

[SYDNEY]

Chinese airline shuns Melbourne for Auckland

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Piha beach, New Zealand by chris.bryant, on Flickr

China Southern Airlines, China's biggest carrier, will bypass Melbourne in favour of a direct Guangzhou-Auckland route, bolstering the projected economic benefit of the new service by half. Last month the airline flagged a three-times-a-week service via Melbourne, but has ditched the Australian stopover after New Zealand government officials and Auckland tourism representatives affirmed their support for the route. That's boosted the estimated injection into the Auckland economy to an annual $75 million from a previous forecast of $50 million. Meetings with officials "gave us the confidence that the New Zealand market opportunity will be a great success and can lead to even greater opportunities for China Southern Airlines and our partners in the region," president and chief executive Tan Wan'geng said in a statement. "Although we always envisaged moving eventually to direct flights if the service via Melbourne proved successful, we have now decided to make this commitment from day one."

Rising numbers of Chinese visitors helped underpin New Zealand's tourism market as the world's most populous nation managed to avoid the worst effects of the global financial crisis. Auckland International Airport, the country's major gateway, reported a 3.8 per cent increase in foreign visitors in November, due to more Chinese and South Korean arrivals. Prime Minister John Key, who also holds the tourism portfolio, has sought to drive the sector since winning office in 2008, last year injecting a further $30 million into attracting new visitors to New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said China is "critical" to New Zealand, which needs to capitalise on the expected doubling of international departures from the world's biggest nation to 100 million over the next five years. "Attracting visitors from southern China specifically to holiday in New Zealand has always been challenging due to a lack of airline capacity, yet Guangdong region is a power house of Chinese industry," Bowler said. Shares in Auckland Airport rose 0.5 per cent to $2.20 in trading today, and rose 9 per cent last year.

[skylark]

nice country.

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by skylark

nice country.

Cheers mate

[SYDNEY]

Guest nights up 2% in November as NZers flock to Auckland

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Mita bay (Otuawao Bay) by simonprice, on Flickr

Guest nights in short term commercial accommodation rose 2 per cent in November, as a big rise in domestic nights in Auckland more than overcame an overall fall in international nights. Statistics New Zealand said the 2.7 million guest nights in November was also up 2.5 per cent from November 2008. Domestic visitors made up 1.5m of the total, a rise of 6.6 per cent from a year earlier and 5.9 per cent from two years before. But the 1.2m guest nights by international visitors was down 3.1 per cent from November 2009 and down 1.4 per cent from November 2008. In Auckland, domestic guest nights were up 52,000 or 20.8 per cent, led by hotels, while Canterbury chalked up a 12,000 or 5.1 per cent rise, Waikato had a rise of 11,000 or 8 per cent, and Bay of Plenty was up 10,000 or 8 per cent.

In Wellington, domestic guest nights fell 7000 or 4.5 per cent, and in Northland they were down 4000 or 6 per cent. Auckland also gained international guest nights, with a lift of 2.4 per cent or 6000, with Bay of Plenty up 9.2 per cent or 9000. West Coast had 15,000 or 19.7 per cent fewer international guest nights, and Otago had 14,000 or 6.3 per cent fewer. Guest nights in hotels were up 65,000 or 6.7 per cent in November from a year earlier, while backpacker accommodation had a rise of 2000 or 0.4 per cent. Holiday parks were down 8000 or 2 per cent, and motels fell 5000 or 0.7 per cent. The occupancy rate, excluding holiday parks, was 54 per cent, 2 percentage points higher than November 2009.

[Deanb]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Highest ever number of tourists in December

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by Heaven`s Gate (John)

New Zealand has recorded its highest-ever number of visitor arrivals in a month - 341,300 in December, up 19,100 (6%) from the previous high of 322,200 in December 2008. Statistics NZ said yesterday visitor arrivals had increased in 7 of the last 9 months, compared with the same months of the previous year. The main contributor to the December increase was 14,000 more visitors from Australia, continuing large increases seen since April 2009. There were also more visitors from the US (up 2800) & Singapore (up 1200), but fewer from China (down 2300). The total for the year was 2.458 million, just below 2008. The number arriving from Australia rose by 11% (106,500) for the year, but this was offset by large decreases in visitors from the UK, Korea, Japan, the US & China. New Zealand's annual net migration balance was a gain of 21,253 for calendar 2009, up from 3814 in 2008 and the highest figure since 22,000 in the June 2004 year. The net inflow for December was 1371, up from 139 in December 2008.

any figures for 2010?
how many foreign tourists did u get?

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Deanb

any figures for 2010?
how many foreign tourists did u get?

Not sure hun, I will dig around and see if I can find some info for ya

[SYDNEY]

Record overseas visitor arrivals in December

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Heaphy beach, New Zealand by skybluetara, on Flickr

Overseas visitor arrivals were a record 345,700 in December, the highest recorded for any month and up 1 per cent from the previous high in December 2009. Despite the increase in arrivals, the estimated average number of visitors per day fell from 192,500 in December 2009 to 188,300 in December 2010, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said today. That was because more visitors stayed one week or less and fewer stayed two weeks or more. Visitor numbers from Australia in December were 4500 up from a year earlier, while arrivals from China were up 2500, but that was largely a recovery from a fall in December 2009. Numbers from Britain were down 3600 in December from a year earlier, and visitors from the United States fell 2200.

A fall in cruise passengers affected visitor numbers from the US, with 800 fewer arriving and 1300 fewer departing on cruise ships compared with December 2009, SNZ said. The 2.53 million visitor arrivals for the whole of 2010 were 3 percent higher than in 2009 and 41 per cent up from a decade earlier when the number was 1.79 million. New Zealand residents left on 206,000 short-term overseas trips in December, 12 per cent up from a year earlier and the highest for any December month on record. For the year, short term departures were up 6 percent to 2.03m, with overseas trips by New Zealand residents having risen 58 per cent over the last decade, from 1.28m in 2000.