Hobbits attracting people to New Zealand

Hobbits attracting people to New Zealand

Thanks to the Rugby World Cup, Hobbits and a sackful of international tourism awards and accolades for 2011, it looks as ifNew Zealandis set to stay in the international spotlight for some time to come. The significant selection of awards for 2011, which designatedNew Zealandas popular, eco-friendly and hot, confirmed Aoteaoa as the top international destination for those seeking to fulfil their travel dreams.

The leading authority on travel, Lonely Planet, has selected New Zealand’s Southerrn Lakes as part of their ‘top 10 regions to visit during 2012′, and New Zealand was also voted as the top global eco-tourism destination at both the Viagens e Turismo and World Traveller tourism awards held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

New Zealand was  ranked as the third strongest country brand in the 2011 FutureBrand CBI, Country Brand Index, and during the past 12 month many individual Kiwis; film makers, sports people, designers, authors, wine makers, tourism operators and artists have been recognised as being among the best in their chosen fields.

Researched destination 
New Zealand is among the most researched destinations for UK tourists according to flight comparison website Skyscanner’s 2012 global travel trends report – an analysis of flight search data from 15 million monthly users.

Spainremains the favourite British destination, but a 35% year-on-year increase putsNew Zealandin the top 10 destinations receiving growing interest from the British travelling public.

In October, The Telegraph (UK) readers named New Zealand as their second favorite worldwide destination at the Telegraph Travel Awards, and Wanderlust (UK) travel magazine readers votedNew Zealand their third most satisfying holiday destination.

Rugby World Cup which brought 133,000 visitors – including significant numbers ofUKtourists – toNew Zealandin September and October, also deliveredNew Zealandlandscapes and culture along with live rugby coverage to a massive international viewing audience in 230-plus countries.

Year of the Hobbit 
For 2012, Hobbits are keeping New Zealand on centre stage as Peter Jackson’s dual film feature continues its shooting schedule in Wellington and on location throughout the country.

As with the blockbuster Lord of the Rings trilogy, the two-part The Hobbit is destined to showcaseNew Zealand to the world and entice travellers to experience Destination New Zealand’s natural wonders, unique culture and lifestyle.

Two New Zealandregions have been singled out for international attention. The Southern Lakes region which includes three major New Zealandtourist destinations – Queenstown, LakeWanakaand Fiordland – is the only New Zealandregion to feature in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2012’. Queenstown and Southern Lakes is ranked at #8 for its year-round activities and spectacular scenery.

Kaikoura -New Zealand’s southern whale watching capital – became the first destination in the world to achieve gold in a new global green benchmark for community sustainability efforts. The Gold Community certification awarded by Green Globe recognises the Kaikoura community’s efforts and contribution toNew Zealand’s world-leading sustainable tourism credentials.

Top luxury lodges
New Zealand’s exclusive luxury lodges also gained international recognition for their high standard of accommodation, superb food and wine, and stunning locations.

Luxury US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler named the new Matakauri Lodge (Queenstown) in their highly coveted hot list – one of only 66 hotels from 31 countries.

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs (Northland) and Huka Lodge (Taupo) were both named among the world’s best places to stay by Condé Nast Traveler. The prestigious 2011 Gold List, selected by 25,000-plus readers, ranked the NZ lodges in the top echelon of international lodge / resorts – and at first and second forAustralasia and the Pacific.

Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Reader’s Travel Awards included fiveNew Zealand lodges in the 2011 Gold List of 108 best international resorts: Mollies (Auckland), Huka Lodge (Taupo), The Farm atCapeKidnappers (Hawke’s Bay), Wharekauhau Lodge (Martinborough), andBlanketBay (Queenstown).

The Condé Nast honours also placed The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs at #6 in the world on the Readers’ Choice Top 100 Travel Experiences, and The Spa at Kauri Cliffs at #10 for theOceania region. The Langham,Auckland placed at #3 for the best hotels inOceania, and Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa was #15.

Kauri Cliffs also featured in the 2011 Fodor’s 100 Hotels selection for luxurious retreats – chosen by Fodor’s editors and travel experts for service, stylish accommodation and unforgettable experiences.

The five-star Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa was voted the ‘World’s Best Hotel Spa’ in the 2011 Travel + Leisuremagazine’s ‘World’s Best’ awards readers’ survey.

Travel + Leisure readers also voted Kauri Cliffs as the top ‘Lodge / Resort’ inAustralia,New Zealand, and the South Pacific, and #11 on the world list of ‘top 100 hotels overall’.

Air New Zealand
Global airline industry magazine Air Transport World named Air NewZealand as the world’s top airline. It was the second time in three years for Air NZ which has won more ATW Awards – described as ‘the Oscars of the airline industry’ – than any other airline in the past decade.

The ATW judges said Air NewZealand was an industry trendsetter in several areas, including product innovation and social media, and praised it for its staff motivation. It also recognised the airline’s environmental initiatives.

Earlier in 2011, Air New Zealand’s revolutionary ‘Skycouch’ – the economy seating that folds down into a bed – won the Aviation category of Condé Nast Traveller’s 2011 Innovation and Design Awards.

Award-winning New Zealand (2011)

• Top global eco-tourism destination – Viagens e Turismo tourism awards inRio de Janeiro,Brazil(Nov 2011)
• #1 best ecotourism destination – World Traveller Awards (June 2011)
• #1Australasia’s leading tourist board – World Travel Awards (Sept 2011)
• #2 favourite worldwide destination - UK TelegraphTravel Awards (Oct 2011)
• #3 most satisfying holiday destination - Wanderlust(UK) magazine (Feb 2011)
• #2 best place to be in 2011 – CNN (Jan 2011)
• #3 strongest country brand – FutureBrand Country Brand Index (Nov 2011)