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.
