Press Release – Auckland City Council
The recognition by Lonely Planet that Auckland and its harbours are the top two international tourism attractions in New Zealand has been welcomed by the Mayor.

Len Brown says the acknowledgement by the international travel guide’s latest New Zealand edition could not be more timely.

“It’s great to see our harbours in particular getting this international focus at a time when our local paper is asking Aucklanders how we can build on the fantastic waterfront environment already in place.

“Aucklanders love their harbours and as we focus on our visitor economy and doubling the number of people travelling here, the timing of this couldn’t be better.”

The Lonely Planet ranking follows Auckland being award top 10 ratings in all three internationally acknowledged liveable cities surveys – the Economist Intelligence Unit ranks Auckland as the 10th most liveable city in the world, Mercer ranks Auckland 3rd and Monocle magazine 9th.

It also comes as Auckland works to attract more domestic tourists through Auckland’s first advertising campaign aimed at attracting other New Zealanders in a decade.

Press Release – Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) is delighted that Auckland has been rated as having the country’s top two visitor experiences in Lonely Planet’s latest New Zealand travel guide. In the 16th edition released this week the Auckland Harbour and Hauraki Gulf was rated the top New Zealand experience, with urban Auckland taking number two.

ATEED Acting General Manager Destination Jason Hill says it’s an outstanding result for New Zealand’s vibrant harbourside city from what is renowned as being the global leader in independent travel guides.

“This reinforces what we know and love about Auckland and feature in our marketing efforts to attract visitors to holiday in our exciting region,” says Mr Hill.

The authors say “it’s hard to imagine a more geographically blessed city” with two oceans, as well as a vibrant Polynesian culture in keeping with having the world’s largest Pacific Island population.

The region’s vast diversity takes centre-stage with Lonely Planet saying that within an hour’s drive from the city centre “there are dense tracts of rainforest, thermal springs, wineries and wildlife reserves. No wonder Auckland’s rated as offering the third best quality of life of any major city.”

The travel guide says the “Hauraki Gulf gives the Bay of Islands stiff competition in the beauty stakes” singling out “wine soaked Waiheke” and “volcanic Rangitoto” as islands not to miss.

The newly refurbished Britomart precinct and Wynyard Quarter also gain praise with Britomart labelled one of the city’s best eating, drinking and shopping precincts and Wynyard Quarter “Auckland’s favourite new place to promenade.”

These accolades from Lonely Planet come soon after ATEED launched a domestic tourism campaign that aims to attract Kiwis to holiday in New Zealand’s international city.

“The campaign is about highlighting the diversity of Auckland including our inspiring cuisine, world-class shopping, spectacular events and stunning natural playground that make up Auckland,” says Mr Hill.

The campaign – which is aligned with Auckland’s 10 year Visitor Plan – aims to increase the value of Auckland’s domestic tourism sector from $1.366 billion in 2010 to $2 billion annually by 2021.