Tourists' bible says Godzone the best

By ALAN PERROTT

New Zealand has been named top destination for 2003 by the backpacker bible Lonely Planet guides.

Staff working for Lonely Planet, which produces 650 destination guides in 14 languages, named New Zealand top "hotspot" ahead of Cambodia, China, Turkey and Cuba.

And despite having a Lonely Planet office in Melbourne, Australia rated only a brief mention.

Don George, Lonely Planet's global travel editor, attributed this country's rise to its "breathtaking cinematic appearance" in The Lord of the Rings movies.

He said everyone he had spoken to after seeing either of the first two films had exclaimed, "Oh my God, I want to go there."

Mr George admitted he had yet to visit New Zealand but it was now on his wish-list.

One American voter wrote: "If I could go anywhere in the world, it would be to New Zealand. The land is lush and exotic, the coastal reefs are still protected and teeming with sea life."

An Australian nominated New Zealand as a clean, green, safe destination where Australian dollars could buy more than at home.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said the title should mean plenty of tourist dollars, despite Lonely Planet's backpacker reputation.

"They're definitely not second-class tourists, they just prefer to spend on attractions rather than accommodation."

Don Gunn, president of the Inbound Tour Operators Council, said the country was riding the crest of a wave. It had benefited from the perception of being safe, as well as the success of The Lord of the Rings, America's Cup coverage and Prime Minister Helen Clark's Royal Tour documentary on the Discovery Channel in the United States.

Minister of Tourism Mark Burton hailed the news as a great start to 2003. The industry had worked hard to improve service and quality, which was reflected in the record 2 million tourists last year.

Those visitors spent a record $5.9 billion in the year ending September 30 - $745 million more than the previous year.