Hobbit too valuable to lose, tourism industry says

Hobbit too valuable to lose, tourism industry says

New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry will lose out if production of The Hobbit is moved offshore, the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) has warned.

TIA is backing efforts to keep the movie in New Zealand, and is pleased that Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has said he will step in.

“Tourism businesses stand to benefit both while The Hobbit is being filmed, through hosting actors and crew around the country, and afterwards, when fans come to visit film locations,” TIA Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson says.

“The Lord of the Rings film trilogy was of profound importance to our tourism industry, and continues to attract visitors several years after the films were released. Many TIA members have developed or expanded their businesses to cater for demand from LOTR fans.”

More importantly, the LOTR trilogy made a significant contribution to raising awareness of New Zealand as a destination in several of our key markets. Unless travellers are aware of New Zealand, we are never likely to get onto their shopping list of potential destinations, Miss Johnson says.

“The prospect of The Hobbit being filmed in New Zealand has been a bright spot in the outlook for the tourism industry through the economic downturn and we will be deeply disappointed if it does not proceed.”

ENDS

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