New Zealand has been announced as top destination this week in a National
Geographic Traveler promotion on Good Morning America, the second
highest-rated television breakfast show in America.
"The American market is one of our key tourism markets," says the Minister
of Tourism Mark Burton.
"Good Morning has around five and a half million viewers. The fact that an
'overwhelming majority' of voters chose New Zealand is a very positive
reflection of our desirability as a destination in the United States."
The vote was due to a National Geographic Traveler promotion to send an
American family on their dream holiday. National Geographic approached a
number of countries, including New Zealand, to set up potential packages
for a family holiday. Tourism New Zealand coordinated with Air New Zealand
and US travel company Springboard Vacations to put together a package, and
then had to wait to hear if we had been selected.
Today the website votes were counted, and New Zealand came out as the
'overwhelming choice'.
The competition saw families in the USA competing to win an ultimate family
vacation. Three finalist families were selected by judges, and then
viewers voted for the family they thought should go on a vacation of a
lifetime. Viewers selected the Paine family on 12 August.
Viewers then voted for the destination that the family should visit, out of
finalist destinations of Tahiti, South Africa, Alberta (Canada), and New
Zealand.
"New Zealand really got, and will get even more, great publicity out of
this win," says George Hickton, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive. "Not
only did New Zealand get mentions on Good Morning America a number of times
in the run up to the competition winners being announced, but in announcing
the win, the show showed footage of New Zealand, and the presenter Charles
Gibson waxed lyrical about his time in New Zealand some twelve years ago
some great endorsement from a well-respected broadcaster."
New Zealand will also feature through the National Geographic Traveler
email newsletters and website from Monday, August 22.
NZine looks at the itinerary for the winning family
The Paine family's 13-day New Zealand adventure includes visits to
Auckland , where they will sightsee and view the city from the Sky Tower
View of the Viaduct Basin in Auckland with the Sky Tower on the skyline
Rotorua for a range of visits to see Maori culture and thermal wonders
Maori challenge and welcome
Whakarewarewa - a thermal wonderland
Christchurch where they will board the Tranzalpine, a coast-to-coast scenic rail journey across New Zealand's South Island
Heading to the foothills -- Photo source Tranzscenic
Fox Glacier on the West Coast for heli-hiking and a peak-top picnic
Fox Glacier
Queenstown for a skyline luge ride.
Skyline luge ride
