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stdClass Object ( [ID] => 30271 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2013-06-10 07:15:57 [post_date_gmt] => 2013-06-10 07:15:57 [post_content] => HOBBITS, elves and dragons appear to be luring tourists to New Zealand as fans await their first glimpse of the second movie in "The Hobbit" trilogy.

Figures released this month by government agency Tourism New Zealand show that international vacations to New Zealand rose 10 percent from January through April when compared to the same period last year. The agency said a survey indicated that 8.5 percent of visitors cited "The Hobbit" as one reason for coming and that 13 percent took part in some kind of hobbit-themed tourism like visiting a film set. [caption id="attachment_30272" align="aligncenter" width="654" caption="An Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300 aircraft decorated with scenes and characters from The Hobbit. Pic: AP."]

[/caption] Warner Bros. announced Monday it will release the first teaser-trailer of "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday. The second film will premiere Dec. 13 in Los Angeles. The trilogy is directed by New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson and shot in his home country. The opener "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," was released December 2012. It received mixed reviews but proved extraordinarily popular with audiences, earning a little over $1 billion at the box office. In an email, Jackson's spokesman Matt Dravitzki said fans can expect "a surprise or two" in this week's trailer, "but I can't say anything more than that!" A little over 500,000 tourists visited New Zealand for vacations in the first four months of the year. About the same number again visited for other reasons, such as for work or to visit relatives. Tourism New Zealand has been running a "100% Middle-earth" marketing campaign that seeks leverage from the movies. "The Hobbit" is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel of the same name and traces the adventures of hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he attempts to help a group of dwarves regain their wealth and stature from the dragon Smaug. "The Hobbit" is the prequel to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." Associated Press

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Hobbits and elves draw tourists to New Zealand

June 10, 2013 - 0 Comments - Travel Wire Asia

HOBBITS, elves and dragons appear to be luring tourists to New Zealand as fans await their first glimpse of the second movie in “The Hobbit” trilogy. Figures released this month by government agency Tourism New Zealand show that international vacations to New Zealand rose 10 percent from January through April when compared to the same…>

Psy’s new SKorean tourism commercials baffle locals

June 6, 2013 - 0 Comments - Travel Wire Asia

THE Korea Tourism Organization, in an attempt revive up a sluggish tourism industry hit hard by inter-Korean tensions, has selected international K-pop sensation Psy as its new face. There is no denying that Psy is a winning choice to promote travel to Korea, with the international media following his every state. However, some statements about…>

Samoa airline introduces pay-by-weight pricing

April 3, 2013 - 0 Comments - Travel Wire Asia

A TINY Samoa airline is giving passengers a big reason to lose weight: tickets sold not by the seat, but by the kilogram. Samoa Air planned on Wednesday to start pricing its first international flights based on the weight of its passengers and their bags. Depending on the flight, each kilogram (2.2 pounds) costs 93…>

In pictures: The Hindu festival of Holi

March 31, 2013 - 0 Comments - Travel Wire Asia

HINDUS celebrated the festival of Holi this weekby painting each other in bright colors, distributing sweets and squirting water at one another. The holiday celebrated mainly in India and Nepal marks the beginning of spring. Bonfires are set on the eve of Holi, and the next day Hindus throw colored dry powder and water in…>

Performance: Teddy Boys, Knock Down, and the Rock Tigers (DGBD, Seoul)

January 27, 2013 - 0 Comments - Chris Backe

CISK note: trying something new with this post – videos! Still photography remains my favorite, but this was a test to see how it would turn out. When it’s time for an album release, it’s time to tour – and boy do the Rock Tigers know how to put on a show. In case it’s…>

For Australia Day, Aussies rename McDonald’s to ‘Macca’s’

January 25, 2013 - 0 Comments - Jo Lane

IN true Australian style whereby names are shortened, a vowel or a ‘y’ is added and the meaning sometimes made almost indecipherable, McDonald’s has agreed to change the name of some of its restaurants downunder to the Aussie nickname Macca’s. For those not familiar with the Australian penchant for changing and altering words see this…>

A day at the Bor Sang Umbrella Festival, Chiang Mai

January 21, 2013 - 0 Comments - Casey Hynes

THAILAND is known as the Land of Smiles and deservedly so, but the country’s rich tradition of crafting, woodworking and artistry are also not to be overlooked. These aspects of Thai culture were celebrated this weekend at the 30th Bor Sang Umbrella & San Kamphaeng Handicraft Festival. The event was held from Friday, Jan. 18-Sunday,…>

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