The release of a new trailer begins the countdown to the first Hobbit film.
New Zealand tourism is preparing itself for the expected influx of visitors that will once again head to the country when the latest Hobbit films head to the big screen.
Kiwi director Peter Jackson first adapted JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth stories with the multi Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, which prompted huge numbers of people to head to New Zealand keen to see the Shire and Rivendell for themselves.
Now tourism chiefs are hoping a similar thing will happen this time round and are spending the majority of their $65 million (£33 million) budget showcasing the shooting locations, with a 100 Per Cent Middle Earth, 100 Per Cent Pure New Zealand campaign.
This begins in earnest this week to coincide with the release of a new trailer on Wednesday (September 19th).
The first Hobbit movie will have its world premiere in Wellington in late November.
Written by Nicholas Scott
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