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Chinese investors may launch $10 billion fund to invest in New Zealand tourism
DestinationsChinese investment firm Shanghai Pengxin and Hong Kong-based Sailing Capital are considering establishing a fund to invest US$10 billion-US$20 billion in developing New Zealand tourism infrastructure. Shanghai Pengxin chairman Jiang Zhoabai floated the prospect while visiting New Zealand and plans to talk to the Government about it…Jiang notes that New Zealand’s immigration requirements might need to be [...]
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New Zealand urged to mandate higher safety standards for adventure tourism
DestinationsThe parents of four tourists who died in a 2010 plane crash have written to New Zealand’s Prime Minister urging him to improve safety measures for adventure sports in the country. Prime Minister John Key’s office confirmed Monday that the families wrote following the release of a coroner’s report into the skydiving plane crash that [...]
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Christchurch, New Zealand asks locals to take in tourists during room shortage
DestinationsChristchurch will encourage residents to open up their homes to tourists next summer in a bid to avoid another “accommodation crisis” in the city. Tourism bosses want to establish a billeting system with residents providing accommodation for people unable to find a room. The plan is being explored after an acute bed shortage this summer [...]
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New Zealand approves same-sex marriage, expects influx of Aussie tourists
DestinationsThousands of Australians are expected to flock to New Zealand, which on Wednesday night passed laws approving same-sex marriage. ”I think it is going to be huge. It will definitely boost tourism to New Zealand with thousands and thousands going over to get married or as wedding guests,” said Reece Farmilo, the owner of Sydney’s [...]
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New Zealand extends multi-stay visas for Chinese tourists
DestinationsAuckland Airport’s general manager for corporate affairs, Charles Spillane, says New Zealand visa changes announced today will propel growing arrivals from China. “China is New Zealand’s fastest growing tourist market and these changes will help to fuel that growth,” he said. Visa changes to boost air travel from China were announced in Shanghai today during [...]
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New Zealand’s massive Hobbit-themed marketing scheme is working out splendidly
DestinationsNew Zealand is expected to see a surge in tourism following the release of The Hobbit movie.
Travel websites have reported a significant growth this month in searches and bookings to the country following the launch of the JRR Tolkien-inspired film .
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Is New Zealand doing enough to make its adventure tourism safe?
DestinationsFrom bungee jumping to skydiving, jet boats to zip-lining, New Zealand has transformed itself into a magnet for thrill-seekers from around the world, turning adrenalin into a billion dollar industry. But not everyone walks away from an adventure tourism experience in New Zealand. Over the past eight years at least 50 visitors have died when [...]
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New Zealand really wants Aussies to come visit its Hobbiton movie sets
DestinationsAll eyes may have been on New Zealand for the world premiere of The Hobbit this week, but when it comes to tourism the Kiwis have Australia firmly in their sights. The industry is preparing for a major marketing push to coincide with the release of the highly-anticipated film and entice Australians across the ditch. [...]
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What’s the Hobbit worth to New Zealand? Assessing the high costs of Hollywood ambitions
Destinations… For better or worse, Mr. Key’s government has taken extreme measures that have linked its fortunes to some of Hollywood’s biggest pictures, making this country of 4.4 million people, slightly more than the city of Los Angeles, a grand experiment in the fusion of film and government. That union has been on enthusiastic display [...]
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Here’s what the Hobbit-themed Air New Zealand aircraft looks like
TransportIf you’re in the travel industry or a travel enthusiast get your daily dose of Skift: subscribe to our newsletter, or social feeds, here. To say that Air New Zealand is clearly milking it is an understatement. And why not? The national airline of the Kiwi country is the partner airline for hugely hyped December’s debut of [...]
