NZ | Amusement Park and Resorts

[IThomas]

An "exclusive function" in a "mystery location" this month will launch a luxury alliance in Queenstown, comprising multi-award-winning accommodation providers, retailers and transport operators, delivering a "clear profile of luxury in Queenstown".

Ten of the resort's leading luxury tourism providers have joined forces to form Queenstown Prestige, aiming to market New Zealand's leading resort to national and global visitors, bringing their passion, experience and marketing efforts under one umbrella.

Foundation members of Queenstown Prestige are Eichardt's, Touch of Spice, Blanket Bay, Matakauri Lodge, Sofitel Queenstown, Louis Vuitton, Queenstown Opal Centre jewellers, Over The Top Helicopters, Mount Edward Winery and transport company Black.

Eichardt's general manager Holly Taylor and Touch of Spice general manager Fiona Stevens said the alliance had evolved to deliver a clear, consistent message about the standard of luxury providers in Queenstown.

"Most of us have worked together to some degree or other in the past on a co-operative basis to deliver a seamless standard of the highest level of service to clients," Ms Taylor said.

"Now, collectively, we're going to work together to showcase the finest that Queenstown has to offer, and as a group there's a lot of strength in that."

Ms Stevens said the new initiative would be launched on May 23 at an evening attended by a "small, select group of key luxury buyers and media from around New Zealand and overseas".

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Ngai Tahu education ride aims to make big splash
NZ HERALD
6:15 AM Monday May 2, 2011

Ngai Tahu is developing a multi-million-dollar high-tech water ride in Rotorua that plans to take up to 500 tourists an hour through the ecological evolution of New Zealand and finish with a 12m splash. "Always got to have a big splash at the end," said Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park project director Stewart Brown. The $10 million-plus project at the park will include an outdoor 400-seat free-flight bird-show auditorium, interactive playground and reptile enclosure. The water ride would aim to tell a story that educated people and encouraged action on environmental issues.

"This will certainly stand as one of the larger developments in New Zealand's tourism history," Brown said. The ride would take visitors back to New Zealand before the arrival of humans and travel nearly 500m, with life-size animatronics including a Haast's eagle attacking a moa. "[The] Haast's eagle was the biggest flying predator in the world at that stage, [its] wingspan was over three metres," Brown said. "It was quite feared when Maori first arrived." Visitors will travel through the arrival of Maori and Europeans, including a depiction of a village and tree-felling.

Then in a cave the nearly 6m boats will be lifted 12m to travel through the tree canopy before dropping into a large splash pool. Brown said the main planning was completed and the development, the biggest single investment since the park started in 1932, was expected to open early next year. The initial planning was for a capacity of 500 people an hour, with an ability to extend. The cost was being met by Ngai Tahu Holdings, the shareholder of Rainbow Springs owner Ngai Tahu Tourism.

Ngai Tahu Tourism chief executive John Thorburn said the development was great news for Rainbow Springs and the whole of Rotorua as a tourist destination. "The development will heighten both domestic and international interest in the region as a place to visit," Thorburn said. "Ngai Tahu Tourism is investing for the long term. "As one of the integral hearts of New Zealand tourism, with its strong culture and New Zealand history, Rotorua is a key focus for us."

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Regarding The Lord of the Rings, you can visit the movie set which portrayed HOBBITON but it is closed at the moment while they film The Hobbit. Once they finish filming they will leave the site intact and will be a huge drawcard for tourists and LOTR fans

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

A huge Ski Resort is planned for PORTERS. You can see renders and also watch a video HERE.

[IThomas]

Originally Posted by Mr_kiwi_fruit

Regarding The Lord of the Rings, you can visit the movie set which portrayed HOBBITON but it is closed at the moment while they film The Hobbit. Once they finish filming they will leave the site intact and will be a huge drawcard for tourists and LOTR fans

I had already seen this in some pictures on the web. Apart from this beautiful place, I meant to say the construction of an amusement park, whose main feature is the Lord of the Rings,that the characters in the film are played by actors in costume in the park. The park would also contain many attractions. To give you an example: here in Italy in Rome a few weeks will be open to the public an amusement park called "Rainbow Magic Land " http://www.rainbowmagicland.it/, whose main protagonists are the stars of the cartoon "Winx Club" http://www.rbw.it/ (do not know if you know them, but is an Italian product exported to the world), however, besides these, there are also many attractions. Now you see what kind it was my proposal? So, which calls for investment in the billions, but if I could, I would do many things, over there!

See work in progress of RAINBOW MAGIC LAND… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQhM0...eature=related

[IThomas]

Hilton Queenstown and Kawarau Hotel

The new Hilton Queenstown and neighbouring Kawarau Hotel, managed by Hilton, in Queenstown’s new Kawarau Village are now open for bookings and stays from Thursday 19 May 2011.
The newly built and stunning properties will be the only Queenstown hotels positioned directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the year-round resort town. They are located just 5 minutes drive from the airport and 15 minutes drive from both the centre of town and The Remarkables Ski Area access road. A further four ski areas are in close proximity. Hilton will run a shuttle services by water and road into Queenstown centre.

Each hotel has a sunny, northerly aspect and offers glorious lake or mountain views. Both hotels are within the newly built Kawarau Village. In addition to many exciting in-house food and beverage outlets — including the Hilton Queenstown’s signature restaurant Wakatipu Grill, helmed by renowned New Zealand chef Peter Thornley and Me & Mee Noodle Bar located in the Kawarau Hotel, managed by Hilton — Kawarau Village offers more dining options, including The Lake Counter cafe, grocery & deli and Stacks Pub. Self catering is an additional option for guests of Kawarau Hotel, managed by Hilton, as each room features a kitchenette with oven, microwave, and fridge/freezer.

[Rooty]

I think the Pirate Ship is the most fun thing at Rainbow's End.

[IThomas]

Originally Posted by Rooty

I think the Pirate Ship is the most fun thing at Rainbow's End.

[IThomas]

Rainbow's End to spend $3.5 million on upgrade

New Zealand Experience, which owns the Rainbow's End amusement park, plans to spend $3.5 million upgrading its 'Castle Land' area, which is expected to boost earnings when it reopens next Easter.

The development is expected to lift medium-term profitability, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. It affirmed annual profit guidance of between $1.2 million and $1.4 million, even though it flagged short-term earnings may be hit during the construction phase.

"The expected growth in revenues and the reduction in our exposure to unfavourable weather for this targeted business, together provide opportunity for improved profitability at Rainbow's End," the company said.

NZ Experience cut its forecast annual earnings of between $1.4 million and $1.6 million after first-half trading was hit by competition from the Rugby World Cup and unfavourable weather.

The company also said it has agreed to a new $5.1 million banking facility with Bank of New Zealand.

The shares, the bulk of which are held by Canada's Garlow Management, the trustee for the Estate of George Ryerson Gardiner, last traded at 40 cents apiece, valuing the company at $14.8 million.