NEW ZEALAND
There are a lot of ‘musts’ in New Zealand, which is probably why Brits spend almost a month here
travellers from US and European markets in particular saying part of the reason they were coming was because they have seen the movies.” Significant is the word. The
International Visitor Survey shows that 12% of all international visitors to New Zealand surveyed between October and December 2013 said The Hobbit was a factor in stimulating their interest in NZ. That figure rises to 14% among just leisure visitors. And with the third film in the trilogy out in December you can expect to see another spike in interest at the turn of the year as the tourist board continues its ‘fantasy is reality’ promotional messages. As it happens I haven’t seen the films so instead of Hobbiton I headed
to Waiheke. It is a small island, a half-hour boat ride from Auckland, that somehow has an average temperature 5C higher than the city. This means wine, loads of it. There’s a population of just 8,000 but more than 40 vineyards, including Mud Brick and Cable Bay. Man O’War was my favourite thanks to its beachside location. If your client enjoys wine – and they probably do – a couple of days here is a must on any itinerary. Annoyingly for you there are a lot of musts here. Which is probably why the average British visitor spends almost a month in NZ. On the plus side there are countless opportunities to achieve perfect moments – even if they don’t want to hit a golf ball at a fictional baddy’s mountainous lair.
aspire september 2014 — 71
PICTURE: ROB SUISTED
PICTURE: CHRIS MCLENNAN
PICTURE: CHRIS SISARICH
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