New Zealand hotels welcome Avatar filming as tourism boost

New Zealand hotels welcome Avatar filming as tourism boost

Hobbits, move aside for the incoming Na’vi tribe from Pandora, who will soon call New Zealand home following Director James Cameron’s recent announcement that the first of three back-to-back sequels to record-breaking movie epic, Avatar, will begin filming from next year. The first Avatar sequel would reportedly be released in 2016, a move welcomed by hotel owners and operators across the country.

Steve Richards, General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Best Western Australasia, which has 15 hotels across the country, said, “Although our bookings have recorded steady growth this year, we need to re-invigorate global interest in visiting New Zealand. The filming of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings was fantastic for generating interest and increased business for hotels, but as an industry, we always welcome new opportunities to inspire travellers to visit the country.”

This year, Best Western recorded a 25% increase on bookings compared to the same time last year. The hotel group also welcomed two new properties to its Kiwi family this year; BEST WESTERN Sails in Taupo and BEST WESTERN Ballina Motel in Napier.

For more information on Best Western properties in New Zealand visit www.bestwestern.co.nz

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