Rotorua, New Zealand
TOURISM New Zealand (TNZ) is launching new destination itineraries and a guide to finding halal food in the country as part of a marketing offensive aimed at South-east Asian travellers.
The national tourism promotion agency is teaming up with Air New Zealand to offer two new itineraries, targeting the more matured market of Singapore, whose travellers are increasingly showing a preference for lesser-known destinations, according to Steven Dixon, regional manager, South and South East Asia at TNZ.
“Our research shows that over half of Singapore travellers (58.4 per cent) choose to travel off the beaten track to places like Tauranga, Napier and Nelson where they can enjoy a diverse range of experiences and local culture with fewer crowds,” he said.
“These two new itineraries capture the country’s hidden gems and highlights how everything in New Zealand is close by. For example, the new nine-day Discover Central New Zealand itinerary provides travellers the opportunity to explore Napier, Wellington, Blenheim and Nelson.”
The other new itinerary is the eight-day Northern Bay of New Zealand + Hobbiton package which showcases Tauranga, Taupo, Rotorua and Hamilton.
Air New Zealand flies daily direct from Singapore to Auckland and also provides more than 20 domestic connections in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, TNZ has partnered with the Kiwi Muslim Directory and Federation of the Islamic Associations of New Zealand to produce a culinary guide for Muslim tourists.
It provides general tourism information, together with a list of restaurants and cafes, from halal-certified through to those which offer vegetarian dishes or vegan cuisine.
Commented Dixon: “New Zealand food goes way beyond fish and chips and barbeques – our chefs have developed a distinct Pacific Rim cuisine.
“We acknowledge how important access to information about suitable dining options is to the overall experience of our Muslim visitors and this guide demonstrates our commitment to further enhancing New Zealand’s position as a visitor destination among this audience.”
The Halal Food Guide is available for download on the Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia editions of Tourism New Zealand’s website.
