The popularity of New Zealand as the perfect fantasy setting for big Hollywood productions such as the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings has spurred the interest in the country as tourist destination.
NEW ZEALAND – According to a new forecast report from Timetric, things are looking bright for New Zealand’s tourism industry. In 2012 New Zealand had 22.8 million domestic trips, a number that is expected to reach 26.7 million by the end of 2017. The number of inbound tourist arrivals is expected to reach 3.1 million by 2017, growing at a CAGR of 3.97%. The surge in the tourism figures could be down to the popularity of Peter Jackson’s the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings – both major Hollywood productions filmed at various locations in New Zealand – or what Hobbit fans now like to call ‘Middle Earth’. Neighbouring countries such as Australia, China and Japan are expected to bring in 69.9% of the total number of inbound tourists. These new figures are seen as a positive trend for a country in need of a boost since the earthquake devastating Christchurch in 2011, claiming 185 lives.
Theme Park gives New Zealand’s economy a lift
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the tourism sector contributed 14.9% to the total GDP and 19.1% to the employment in New Zealand in 2012. The popularity of the Hollywood productions in combination with a big marketing campaign by the government agency ‘Tourism New Zealand’ to promote New Zealand as a tourist destination have been the main contributors to the upward trend. One of the most popular tourist attractions has been the ‘Hobbition’ in the Waikato region – a major theme park attracting Hobbit fans from all over the world.
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