is this a joke
Oct 9th 2003, 8:17 am
#1
farmer nr Queenstown NZ
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Joined: Jul 2003
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is this a joke
Taken from......http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3175314.stm
UK
Kiwi inspiration for East Midlands
by Brady Haran
BBC News Online, East Midlands
New Zealand is a hit with tourists
In the world of tourism, New Zealand spent many years as the poor cousin to neighbouring Australia.
But thanks to some clever marketing, "the land of the long white cloud" has emerged as a top destination for holidaymakers.
The efforts of kiwi tourism chiefs is now being used as inspiration by those attempting to market the heart of England.
A new strategy document, Destination East Midlands, pays tribute to the way New Zealand "challenged with gusto" and emerged from Australia's shadow.
It wants to do likewise in a bid to rival "the top division" of UK destinations - places like the West Country and Scotland.
KIWI VIEW
New Zealanders imagine the whole region is quite grey, dull and industrial
Nick Wilson, New Zealander
Read more from ex-pat Nick Wilson
In particular, the strategy calls for a focus on the region's appealing "greenscape", such as the Peak District, Sherwood Forest and the National Forest.
The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) has set up a new organisation, East Midlands Tourism, to implement the strategy.
The new strategic board, to be formally launched on Thursday, will take over from Visit Heart of England, which previously had the broader role of overseeing tourism the west and east midlands.
The new strategy for the East Midlands says: "It is an irony that the key image associated with the midlands is urban sprawl and post-industrial decline.
"The reality is not like that at all. The East Midlands is amongst the most rural of regions.
"It boasts iconic green brands such as the Peak District and Sherwood Forest.
SEVEN WONDERS
Peak District is named among the East Midlands' seven wonders
See the list of seven wonders
Pictures of the wonders
"It is characterised not by vast industrial cities and conurbations, but by 'routes of green' - rich agricultural land which feeds the farms and the market towns, the parks, forests, wetlands, waterways and lakes."
It is hoped the draw of these features - combined with the appeal of cities such as Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln - will draw a special type of visitor: the overnighter.
Persuading holidaymakers to stay overnight in the East Midlands is vital to EMDA.
At present, 90% of visitors to the East Midlands only stay for the day, and they typically spend £10.
On the other hand, overnight visitors will spend £49 per night.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Tourism in the E Midlands is worth £5 billion
- It employs 200,000 people
- 800,000 annual visits from overseas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: EMDA
Despite the need for these longer term visitors, EMDA is realistic about its chances of becoming a destination for overseas travellers.
The document says: "The main markets are people living in the region or near it.
"The strategy is realistic in its understanding that tourists from overseas or far distant places are unlikely to be the bread and butter of tourism in the East Midlands.
"The does not mean that attracting more people from overseas is not a priority, only that it is kept in proportion."
However there are some overseas visitors EMDA may like to pop in - the tourism chiefs from New Zealand.
east midlands bares no resemblance to anything i've seen in NZ.....YET!
UK
Kiwi inspiration for East Midlands
by Brady Haran
BBC News Online, East Midlands
New Zealand is a hit with tourists
In the world of tourism, New Zealand spent many years as the poor cousin to neighbouring Australia.
But thanks to some clever marketing, "the land of the long white cloud" has emerged as a top destination for holidaymakers.
The efforts of kiwi tourism chiefs is now being used as inspiration by those attempting to market the heart of England.
A new strategy document, Destination East Midlands, pays tribute to the way New Zealand "challenged with gusto" and emerged from Australia's shadow.
It wants to do likewise in a bid to rival "the top division" of UK destinations - places like the West Country and Scotland.
KIWI VIEW
New Zealanders imagine the whole region is quite grey, dull and industrial
Nick Wilson, New Zealander
Read more from ex-pat Nick Wilson
In particular, the strategy calls for a focus on the region's appealing "greenscape", such as the Peak District, Sherwood Forest and the National Forest.
The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) has set up a new organisation, East Midlands Tourism, to implement the strategy.
The new strategic board, to be formally launched on Thursday, will take over from Visit Heart of England, which previously had the broader role of overseeing tourism the west and east midlands.
The new strategy for the East Midlands says: "It is an irony that the key image associated with the midlands is urban sprawl and post-industrial decline.
"The reality is not like that at all. The East Midlands is amongst the most rural of regions.
"It boasts iconic green brands such as the Peak District and Sherwood Forest.
SEVEN WONDERS
Peak District is named among the East Midlands' seven wonders
See the list of seven wonders
Pictures of the wonders
"It is characterised not by vast industrial cities and conurbations, but by 'routes of green' - rich agricultural land which feeds the farms and the market towns, the parks, forests, wetlands, waterways and lakes."
It is hoped the draw of these features - combined with the appeal of cities such as Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln - will draw a special type of visitor: the overnighter.
Persuading holidaymakers to stay overnight in the East Midlands is vital to EMDA.
At present, 90% of visitors to the East Midlands only stay for the day, and they typically spend £10.
On the other hand, overnight visitors will spend £49 per night.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Tourism in the E Midlands is worth £5 billion
- It employs 200,000 people
- 800,000 annual visits from overseas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: EMDA
Despite the need for these longer term visitors, EMDA is realistic about its chances of becoming a destination for overseas travellers.
The document says: "The main markets are people living in the region or near it.
"The strategy is realistic in its understanding that tourists from overseas or far distant places are unlikely to be the bread and butter of tourism in the East Midlands.
"The does not mean that attracting more people from overseas is not a priority, only that it is kept in proportion."
However there are some overseas visitors EMDA may like to pop in - the tourism chiefs from New Zealand.
east midlands bares no resemblance to anything i've seen in NZ.....YET!
