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Surge in US tourists are proof positive of ‘power of the ring’
Air New Zealand’s The Lord of the Rings motion picture
themed aircraft are taking Middle-earth tourism promotion to new heights
around the globe as “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” fever
continues to grow.
Motion
picture Lord of the Rings lure tourists to Middle-earth
While the US and European markets launched the second
film of the movie picture trilogy in December 2002, key markets such as
Japan where “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” motion
picture has assumed almost cult status are still awaiting the release of The
Two Towers.
Meanwhile in New Zealand, tourism operators are reaping
the rewards of earlier investment in Middle-earth promotion and eagerly
anticipating the impact that high profile initiatives such as Air New
Zealand’s flying billboards will have on tourism growth.
New Zealand tourism industry chiefs believe a sharp
upturn in tourists from key markets such as the US in the past few months is
directly attributable to identification with New Zealand as the backdrop to
the motion picture trilogy.
Statistics New Zealand figures point to a 13.1% increase
in US visitor arrivals for October, followed by 24.5% increase for November.
These figures compare with a 19.6% decline for October 2001 and a 13.3%
decline for November 2001. The first week of December shows a 31.5% increase
on the same week, a year before.
Chairman of the Tourism Research Council Sean Murray,
explained, “New Zealand’s overall tourism profile is stronger than ever
right now, but market feedback suggests the huge hype from The Lord of the
Rings is the major driver of such large visitor increases from key markets
like the US.”
Murray is also the general manager of Tourism Holdings
Limited, New Zealand’s largest tourism wholesaler. He said, “I believe
The Lord of the Rings is proving a tremendously powerful catalyst in
prompting travelers who’ve thought about visiting New Zealand to make that
final decision. It’s tapping into the latent desire to travel here and
drawing those people towards New Zealand.”
“In that context, Air New Zealand’s The Lord of the Rings-themed
planes adds enormous value to the concerted industry effort to promote
Middle-earth. These aircraft have huge impact – a really high profile way
of getting the message across,” Murray added.
Air-India announces attractive fares to UK/Europe/USA
for senior citizens
Senior citizens traveling on Air-India’s westbound
flights from India - to London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Newark and
Chicago, and interior points in the USA - can now look forward to special
discounted fares. Men aged 65 or more and women above 60 years will be
considered for availing these discounted fares.
The special Senior Citizen fares are up to 25 percent
lower than the lowest promotional fare for travel to the UK/Europe/USA.
These attractive fares are available from all international airports in
India, viz. Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad,
Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram, from which
Air-India operates its services.
Passengers eligible for these fares, which have a
validity of 4 months and 6 months, must commence their outbound travel
between February 15 and March 31, 2003.
The return travel must be completed by May 31, 2003 or
may be undertaken only beyond August 1, 2003 within the validity of the
ticket, as there is a blackout period for the return journey during June and
July.
While passengers traveling between India and New
York/Newark/Chicago will be flown on Air-India’s own flights, their travel
within the USA will be on domestic carriers of USA.
TAT to promote
Nan Province
Nestled in a glorious setting of rolling hills along the
Lao border, Nan Province is off the beaten track and so far, in spite of its
beauty and history, foreign tourists are far and few between.
Nan maintained an independent system of government with
its own royal family until Bangkok sent a governor in 1892 to help
consolidate its power in the face of the threat of British and French
colonialism. It became an official province under Rama VII in 1925 and
finally abolished its own system of government in 1931, when the last king
of Nan died.
These days Nan gives provides the visitor with a sense of
peaceful tranquility and diversified culture. The land is fertile and
blessed with a lovely river system.
Nan city is small, and lacks the hustle and bustle of
Thailand’s bigger cities. The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) tells us
that one of the nicest things about Nan is that the locals are friendly,
curious about visitors and very hospitable.
Major festivals like the dragon boat races are held in
October and November. Children play along the banks of the river and even
call out a few words in English.
Morning markets, the river front and quiet back streets
have a variety of architecture, and parks provide places to stroll or relax.
Wat Phumin, a temple constructed in 1596 is decorated with some of the best
murals in the north.
The Nan Museum is housed in the simple palace of the
royal family of Nan and presents a varied collection of ceramics, textiles
and jewelry, as well as a good selection of Buddha images.
For nature lovers Nan offers Doi Phu Kha National Park,
about 50 kilometers east of Pua on a road which winds through the lush
forest. The Doi Phu Kha Mountain Range is part of the Himalayas and its
highest peak reaches nearly 2,000 meters.
The visitors’ center provides hands-on exhibits and
information in Thai and English on rare wildlife and plants of the area. The
park also has rented accommodation and tent space. (TNA)
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