United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
New Zealand puts big hopes in little Hobbits
In anticipation of the 28 November New Zealand premiere of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Wellington, New Zealand is giving itself a Hobbit-sized makeover.
For the week of the premiere, the city of Wellington, where Jackson’s Weta Workshop is located, is taking on the moniker, "The Middle of Middle Earth."
Shop keepers are being exhorted to transform their businesses into Middle Earth-inspired emporiums. Customs officials are said to be considering a Hobbit-themed stamp for arriving travelers.
Going along for the ride is Air New Zealand, which has transformed entire aircraft to reflect the image of Middle Earth.
The total price tag for the Hobbit-themed makeover is far from Hobbit-sized: about 1.1 million NZ.
Gretchen Kelly
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm