Hobbit-crazy Kiwis fly the tourism flag
New Zealand is going Hobbit-crazy ahead of the soon-to-be-released movie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Air New Zealand – it calls itself the official airline of Middle-earth – has unveiled the Boeing 777-300 aircraft which is set to become a flying billboard for the airline.
The exterior imagery extends the full length of the 73-metre long aircraft, and depicts characters from the upcoming fantasy adventure movie, a New Line Cinema and MGM production.
The aircraft will fly regular Air NZ services between Auckland, Los Angeles and London.
At Auckland airport, two Hobbit-inspired installations have been unveiled to celebrate the global premiere of the movie, the first in a trilogy of films from Kiwi director Sir Peter Jackson.
Tourism New Zealand CEO Kevin Bowler said the Auckland airport display of large statues and depictions from the film aims to inspire travellers "to take in more of New Zealand’s magical landscapes and activities, and to discover that there is a whole world of experiences to be had, and people to meet, within the movie-scene style landscapes".
by Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
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