Looking For Love In All The Right Places…

MEDIA RELEASE
3 March 2009

Looking For Love In All The Right Places…

The Beatles said money can’t buy you love – and it certainly couldn’t buy New Zealand the huge exposure it is receiving in the US thanks to romantic reality television show The Bachelor.

Part of the latest series of this top-rating US show was filmed in New Zealand and it seems it’s not just a bachelorette the star has fallen in love with – it’s our whole country.

Two of the final three episodes were filmed in New Zealand, including Queenstown and Northland, as part of Tourism New Zealand’s International Media Programme.

The first New Zealand episode screened in the US to an audience of 12.5 million on 16 February. The second – also the season finale – will air tonight US time.

Jason Mesnick, the Bachelor in search of romance in ABC’s 13th series of the hit show, says New Zealand is the most beautiful place he’s ever been.

“The people were so kind and generous and that is a huge part of the entire experience. But the beauty of Queenstown is unmatchable anywhere.”

Asked if he would recommend New Zealand, he says “New Zealand is ‘the’ place that must be on your list”.

Visits to Tourism New Zealand’s website - www.newzealand.com/travel/usa - increased from 3,458 to 7,277 the day after the first New Zealand episode screened.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says money can’t buy the kind of exposure Jason has given New Zealand.

“With a massive media industry, the US is a tough market to get our message across in – but the messages from Jason Mesnick have reached a huge audience in the US and beyond.

“The programme itself has helped create ‘a buzz’ around New Zealand as a destination profiling our stunning landscapes and the experiences many US travellers would be unaware they could have here.”

“Tourism New Zealand is expecting some big challenges in the US this year due to the economic situation, but we see it as an opportunity to come out in a stronger position than we went in. This kind of high-profile activity will help us achieve that.”

Tourism New Zealand will also launch a fresh take on its 100% Pure New Zealand advertising campaign in the US following the last episode of The Bachelor from 9 March.

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