Put a t·i•tg around Rotorua cas By Julie Taylor ju/
[email protected] New Zealand's tourism industry is gearing up to capitalise on the interest Middle-earth mania pure gold for NZ tourism generated by The Hobbit films and Rotorua is well positioned to benefit from the Lord ofthe Rings forerunner. New Zealand's 100% Pure campaign will Delegates at Trenz tourism expo last soon haveanewtwist, with Tourism New week got a preview of a new Tourism Zealand's 100% Middle-earth promotion. New Zealand campaign to create visitor Aimed at promoting New Zealand as interest in travel to New Zealand a visitor destination through its around the release of The Hobbit: An association with the two The Hobblt Unexpect€d Journey and TM Hobbit: films, the campaign is focused on There and Back Again will be released showing how people can experience the on December 14 this year and December places seen in the film for themselves. 13, 2013, respectively. Tourism New Zealand chief executive Destination Rotorua Marketing gen Kevin Bowler said the films would, once eral manager Oscar Nathan said the again, put the country's spectacular industry was very landscapes In front of movie lovers positive about the around the world. opportunities "Many movie goers would probably around The Hobbit and bis organisation was working with "We aim to show the likes of Matamata's potential travellers Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tours to that the fantasy of ensure Rotorua can be a part of thal Middle-earth is, In He pointed to the incredible interest Oscar Nllthan fact, the reality of generated by the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the New Zealand." "afterglow" that was continuing 12 Kevin Bowler, Tcuism NZ years later.