Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler says he is
"highly impressed" by the depiction of New Zealand as the
"home of Middle-earth" in the second trailer for The
Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, released last week.
The release of the trailer by Sir Peter Jackson coincided
with Tolkien Week - the 75th anniversary of the publication
of J.R.R. Tolkein's The Hobbit.
Mr Bowler said the way New Zealand scenery and landscapes
featured in the trailer was "fantastic".
"This latest trailer vividly demonstrates that Tourism New
Zealand is on the right track with our approach to leverage
the interest in New Zealand that these films will create.
"Tourism New Zealand's 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New
Zealand campaign centres on the reality that New Zealand is
the home of Middle-earth; that many of the landscapes people
see on screen are real places just waiting to be explored by
travellers.
"Not only can you reach them, but you can have some amazing
adventures and experiences within our movie-like landscapes."
More than half a million people have already viewed Tourism
New Zealand's campaign advertisement online, which features
the recognisible vistas of Queenstown, Glenorchy, Wanaka and
Milford Sound.
Mr Bowler said the viewership was a "fantastic start as we
build up our Middle-earth marketing activities ahead of the
release of the first film".
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will released on
December 14, followed by The Hobbit: The Desolation of
Smaug a year later and The Hobbit: There and Back
Again on July 18, 2014.
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