New Zealand has always been a popular destination for tourists, but nothing has quite had the same impact on its tourism industry as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The epic film series, directed by Peter Jackson and based on the books by J.R. Tolkien, was filmed entirely in New Zealand and showcased some of the country’s most stunning landscapes and natural beauty.
Impact on Tourism
The Lord of the Rings movies brought international attention to New Zealand like never before. The country’s stunning scenery was featured prominently throughout the films, from rolling hills and lush forests to snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes. These breathtaking landscapes served as a backdrop for many of the movie’s most memorable scenes, including Frodo and Sam’s journey through the Misty Mountains and Aragorn’s battle against the Uruk-hai at Helm’s Deep.
As a result of this exposure, New Zealand saw a significant increase in tourism following the release of each movie in the trilogy. Fans from around the world flocked to see these locations for themselves, which led to an increase in flights, accommodations, and other tourist activities. In fact, tourism in New Zealand increased by almost 40% during the years that the Lord of the Rings movies were released.
Film Locations
One of the reasons why Lord of The Rings was so successful in promoting New Zealand was because it showcased many of its lesser-known regions. Fans were able to explore parts of New Zealand that had never been seen before on screen, such as Mount Sunday (Edoras) or Tongariro National Park (Mordor). Many fans even took part in guided tours that took them through key filming locations.
Tourism operators also capitalized on this newfound popularity by offering specialized tours focused on exploring these areas. Fans could visit Hobbiton in Matamata or take helicopter tours over some of their favorite filming locations.
- Hobbiton in Matamata
- Tongariro National Park (Mordor)
- Mount Sunday (Edoras)
The Hobbit Trilogy
The tourism industry in New Zealand received another boost with the release of the Hobbit trilogy. Directed by Peter Jackson, the prequel films were also shot entirely in New Zealand and showcased many of the same stunning locations as their predecessors. This time, however, fans were able to explore even more areas of Middle-earth, such as Dale and Lake-town.
The Future of Tourism in New Zealand
While it’s been almost a decade since the last Lord of The Rings movie was released, its impact on tourism in New Zealand is still being felt today. Fans from around the world continue to visit the country to see these iconic locations for themselves. In fact, many tourism operators have found that Lord of The Rings tours are still some of their most popular offerings.
New Zealand’s government has also recognized the importance of Lord of The Rings to its tourism industry and has invested heavily in promoting it. It’s clear that this epic film trilogy has had a lasting impact on not only how people see New Zealand but also on its economy.
In conclusion, it’s safe to say that Lord of The Rings played a significant role in putting New Zealand on the map for international tourists. Its stunning scenery and unique locations captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the world and helped to showcase all that this beautiful country has to offer.