Nature Lovers Love New Zealand

Date: 01 April 2008

New Zealand is the dream destination for British outdoors enthusiasts, according to recent readers’ polls in two top UK walking publications.

The readers of Walk magazine have voted New Zealand "Best Walking Place Overseas", ahead of France and Austria, in the 2008 Walk Readers’ Awards. Walk is the UK’s largest circulated walking magazine and reaches 140,000 active walkers and outdoors enthusiasts.

Members of the online outdoors community OutdoorsMagic.com have also put their hands up for New Zealand, naming the country "Best International Destination" in the Outdoors Magic Awards 2007/08. Sir Edmund Hillary was also recognised by Outdoors Magic members, who voted him this year’s "Outdoors Magic Personality of the Year".

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says that the UK market has seen some changes recently, with new destinations such as South America, Africa and South East Asia becoming more and more popular with travellers.

"But these results show that with continual efforts and an innovative approach to marketing, New Zealand can maintain its profile in the UK."

"Tourism New Zealand is continuing to find new ways to connect with travellers and keep New Zealand’s profile up in this important market."

This success comes soon after the launch of Tourism New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ campaign, which is targeting walking enthusiasts in the UK and Germany through special interest media and online social networking.

To find out more, visit www.newzealand.com/travel/UK-Ireland.

Source: Tourism New Zealand Media Release