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
in the US.
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.
For further information contact:
Cas Carter, Corporate Communications Tourism New Zealand, Mob 021
915 410
Background:
The Bachelor is currently ABC's third highest ranking
series among 18-34 year old females, but is also popular with
higher income earners in the 18-49 age group.
This season of the series is its highest rating in three years
and best for total viewers in five years (12.5 million), with
audience numbers up 30 per cent on the previous series.
In Episode 7 (aired on 16 February) the Bachelor had three
romantic dates in Queenstown, including a helicopter ride over Lake
Wakatipu, bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge and sailing into the
sunset on the classic sailing ship Yvalda.
Tourism New Zealand's International Media Programme hosts around
400 print, broadcast and online media from our major tourist
markets every year.
Tourism New Zealand's new US advertising campaign will go to air
across the Discovery Channel Network on 9 March. The NZ$3 million
campaign includes a series of short documentaries under the tagline
'The New Zealand Life Back Promise'.
Read more
about our international media programme
Read
more about Tourism New Zealand's marketing in the US