Ski Operators Take Aim At Australian Ski Bunnies

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May 9, 2007

                                                                            
Ski Operators Take Aim At Australian Ski Bunnies

For the first time, New Zealand’s mountains and cool skiing will be featured in a television advertising campaign in Australia.

The 15 second television commercial fronted by New Zealand-based actor Robbie Magasiva starts today (Wednesday May 9).

“Expectations are high for a great 2007 ski season and feedback is that early-bird early bookings are strong and tracking above last year,” Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said.

Last year, a record 1.4 million day ski passes were sold during the ski season. Over 101,000 overseas skiers spent an estimated NZ$342 million during their stay, about half were Australian.

It is the first time Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Ski Tourism Marketing Network, a grouping of New Zealand’s leading ski areas and ski resort destinations, have combined resources to back a campaign.

New Zealand Ski Tourism Marketing Network’s chairman Mike Smith said the group expected the commercials to be viewed by Australians making up their minds about where to ski.

“We want to encourage them to ski in New Zealand,” Mr Smith said.

New Zealand ski operators will open next month, with start dates scheduled for between June 9 and 30.

Robbie and Petra Bagust have become the faces of Tourism New Zealand’s What’s On campaign has been promoting New Zealand in Australia since last year.

Tourism New Zealand’s ‘What’s On’ campaign aims to change how Australians think about travelling to New Zealand. It aims to get Australians thinking of New Zealand as a region and taking more trips to more parts of the country.

The campaign was launched in August 2006. The Australian market grew 8.8% in March 2007 and has increased 5.4% since the start of Tourism New Zealand’s What’s On campaign in August 2006. 

In addition to the TV coverage, internet advertising on Australia’s leading travel information web sites will run during May and, as with the TV commercials, this will direct Australians to visit www.newzealand.com for more skiing information.

The television advertisement can be viewed on www.tourismnewzealand.com.

Ends

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