Travel Channel to telecast NZ tourism hotspots

At the world premiere of the Travel Channel’s RV Rampage Wanaka and Queenstown will be showcased, along with other national tourism hot-spots. Around 200 million potential viewers are expected to watch the programme from Thursday.

Tourism New Zealand’s director of trade, PR and major events Justin Watson said the show could put the best of New Zealand on screens in front of hundreds of millions of viewers.

The new 10-part series will have huge global penetration as the Travel Channel transmits 24 hours a day in 23 languages to more than 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

Crews finished filming the show in Wanaka and Queenstown late last year, after a traverse of the country which included Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Marlborough and Abel Tasman, Greymouth, Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier.

In the show, hugely popular hosts Henry Cole from The World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides and Amanda Byram from Total Wipeout and Big Breakfast corral five international teams of two, based in campervans, through challenges designed to immerse them in New Zealand culture, and mentally and physically challenging “rampage challenges”.

“Such significant international exposure over so many markets coming hot on the heels of the coverage we saw of the royal visit in April, all serves to keep New Zealand at the top of the mind for travellers and support Tourism New Zealand’s aim to increase the value of international visitors to New Zealand,” Watson said.