Tag Archives: NZ Tourism Industry

Tourists Returning to Region

Tourists Returning to Region

Chief executive of Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism Tim Hunter says tourism numbers have been “firming up” over recent months after last year’s earthquake, a process which he sees as important to the region as…

Chinese Tourism Numbers Climb

Chinese Tourism Numbers Climb

Chinese tourists in New Zealand outspent American visitors last year for the first time on record. Spending by Chinese tourists gained 26 per cent to $457 million last year, the Ministry of Economic Development…

Tourism’s Holy Grail

Tourism’s Holy Grail

A Guardian Film article on cinema-inspired tourism points to NZ as the ultimate example. “Every country wants its own Lord of the Rings. The extra-ordinary pulling power of the trilogy – the perfect shop window for the…

Good Things Take Time

Good Things Take Time

Globe writer, Leigh Turner, believes NZ’s value as a holiday destination lies in eco rather than adventure tourism. “In the last six years, international visitor numbers have risen 41%. But that success poses challenges for a country…

Aotearoa in Vogue

Aotearoa in Vogue

The November issue of Australian Vogue contains a sumptuous 30-page spread on NZ. Topics include our “so hot right now” film industry, the best places to eat and drink in Wellington, Auckland, and…

Travelers Flock to the Edge

Travelers Flock to the Edge

NZ’s booming tourism industry shows no signs of slowing down, with a 20% increase in overseas visitors arriving in July than for the same period last year. According to the Tourism Research Council, tourism will grow by…

Professor Roy Crawford

Professor Roy Crawford

The Guardian attributes Professor Roy Crawford leaving Queen’s University Belfast to take up the post of Vice Chancellor at Waikato University to NZ’s current It status: “Oh, Australia must be annoyed. For centuries it’s been top dog…

Overnight Express to the Edge

Overnight Express to the Edge

NZ was named Favourite Long-haul Destination in the Guardian and Observer’s annual People’s Choice Awards, for the third time in the past four years. NZ topped the poll with 96.8% of the vote, beating Peru, Australia, and…

Ringing in the Changes

Ringing in the Changes

Tourism is predicted to overtake dairy as NZ’s top export earner by mid-2004 – a phenomenon largely attributed to  Lord of the Rings hype. The country’s newfound status as a must-see destination is confirmed by a…

Closer Thais

Closer Thais

A move towards closer economic relations between NZ and Thailand was kick-started by Foreign Minister Phil Goff’s talks with his Thai counterpart, Surakiart Sathirathai, in late November. The NZ government has offered Thais aged 18-30 6 month…

East Midlands Look to the South

East Midlands Look to the South

England’s East Midlands are looking to NZ for inspiration in their bid to become a leading holiday destination. “In the world of tourism, NZ spent many years as the poor cousin to neighbouring Australia. But thanks…

“Fairway to Heaven”

“Fairway to Heaven”

“Spectacularly gorgeous NZ a bargain for golfers” (Detroit Free Press). Golf-mad travel writer scours the length of the country for the best greens available – from the golden beaches of Kauri Cliffs to mountain views at Lake…

NZ: High-end Bottom of the World Destination

NZ: High-end Bottom of the World Destination

Turning conventional wisdom upside down New York Times finds that:”isolation, long an obstacle to international tourism, has become a plus in the post-Sept. 11 world. New Zealand, long promoted as clean and green, is now adding “safe.”…

Record Tourism Numbers

Record Tourism Numbers

“Despite the global downturn New Zealand still welcomed a record number of international visitors for the 2010 1,909,391 people visited, a 6.9 percent increase from the previous year”.

Fans Flock to Tolkien Trail

Fans Flock to Tolkien Trail

“Thanks to a bunch of elves, orcs and hobbits”, New Zealand is “one of this year’s most fashionable tourist destinations”. Experts believe the trilogy will boost NZ’s tourist industry by a third. On the edge we’ve always…

Tourism Plumbs New Depths in NZ

Tourism Plumbs New Depths in NZ

Tourists can now make in-depth explorations of New Zealand’s Milford Sound aboard a four-passenger sub, descending 330 feet underwater.

Deals Abound in New Zealand

Deals Abound in New Zealand

“Wow,” exclaims an article written by an American tourist holidaying in Auckland and the Bay of Islands. Americans are catching onto the favourable exchange rate and the relative equality of prices, making NZ “an adventure playground…

Green and Gorgeous Land

Green and Gorgeous Land

“New Zealand … is a gorgeous place. It’s pristine and green, people are friendly, and it’s well organised for visitors …” South Africa’s Independent takes an edge challenge and tries to review NZ without mentioning “hot-air ballooning,…

High Brag Value

High Brag Value

New Zealand’s rise in popularity with Indian tourists has two sources: massive exposure as background in Bollywood films and exclusivity: New Zealand has “high brag value” once you’re back home.

Travel Gets Edgy

Travel Gets Edgy

Being on the edge means being “enroute to nowhere,” but good cocktails in hot bars, great views from hot baths, wine, alps, adrenaline and Auckland’s revolving restaurant “make this one you must go to sometime”. Also,

Travel Bug

Travel Bug

Travel is at the top of the spending list for young UK professionals. Exotic New Zealand is among the choicest destinations on offer.

Edge of a Lonely Planet

Edge of a Lonely Planet

“New Zealand values its independence and is not afraid to take on the world,” states the latest Lonely Planet, labelling New Zealand the place for adventure, coffee and wide open spaces.

Scotland Looks for the Edge

Scotland Looks for the Edge

Facing dwindling tourism numbers and the problem of how to overcome the bad service and the apocryphal deep-fried Mars bars, the Scotsman’s Peter Irvine is looking to the edge: “one threat to tourism in Scotland comes from…

Gung Ho Tourism

Gung Ho Tourism

After China agreed to grant New Zealand “approved destination” status, Air China, the national carrier, will begin direct flights to Auckland, a move likely to spur further the growth of New Zealand tourism and NZ-China friendship. For…

TimeOut Gets into NZ’s Real Crown Jewels

TimeOut Gets into NZ’s Real Crown Jewels

Time Out’s Mary Ann Percy provides an insider’s guide to New Zealand’s recondite attractions. Everybody knows about New Zealand’s tourist standards (Jonah and the whales), but “get your A into G: have you slipped…

Home and Away: Taking the Edge to London

Home and Away: Taking the Edge to London

“If you are passionate about where you come from, working abroad can provide the ideal opportunity to promote your native country.” The Times profiles Anna Kensington who promotes NZ Tourism in London.  Anna considers…

Travelling with Cruise Control

Travelling with Cruise Control

If Kiwi Jonathan Kruse has his way, road-tripping tourists will never have to fumble with the map or guide-book again. Using global positioning systems, information about your location and relevant tourist attractions, meshed with evocative music and…

New Zealand Gets a Tonic from Deer

New Zealand Gets a Tonic from Deer

The booming Korean economy not only means a boost for New Zealand tourism but also the deer industry as it has boosted the demand for deer velvet, the soft precursor to antler widely used in oriental medicine.