Sidharth Malhotra shares his New Zealand memories in Ahmedabad
Sidharth recounts the diverse range of activities experienced in New Zealand
Ahmedabad, Sidharth Malhotra, Tourism New Zealand’s brand ambassador for India took Ahmedabad by storm today as he re-lived the unforgettable experience of his recent New Zealand journey. Steven Dixon, Tourism New Zealand Regional Manager, South and South East Asia, joined Sidharth at a media event where he shared his fascinating account of his New Zealand experience. The Bollywood star spent a week in New Zealand last October, and a video encapsulating his experiences captivated the audience. It featured Sidharth indulging in the best New Zealand has to offer, including doing a Sky Walk in Auckland, meeting the Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Rt. Hon. John Key in Wellington, enjoying a hot air balloon ride in Queenstown, playing cricket on a glacier with ex-Blackcap Stephen Fleming and visiting a sacred tree in Northland.
Speaking at the event, Steven Dixon said, “We are thrilled to have Sidharth on board to showcase the best of New Zealand to those considering visiting our country. Sidharth is the perfect fit for New Zealand and his trip created great conversations about the destination, not just in India but in New Zealand too. Our country experienced the impact of Bollywood when Sidharth was surrounded by fans everywhere he went. He was enthusiastic and eager to explore New Zealand’s offerings, immersing himself in adventure, food and wine and Maori culture.”
He further added, “India is a growing visitor market for New Zealand. To year-end April 2016, we saw 23,440 holiday arrivals from India, which is an increase of16.4per cent on the previous year.
“We can expect double-digit growth to continue from India in the next five years and Gujarat is one of our key regions for growth. Gujarat is synonymous with abundant opportunities and we have seen a steady flow of Guajarati travellers to New Zealand who are passionate about travel and have a keen sense of adventure. As well as offering a diverse range of experiences, New Zealand has vegetarian cuisine and plenty of Indian restaurants that cater to the Indian palate.”
Recollecting the memories of his New Zealand tour, Sidharth Malhotra quipped, “My New Zealand trip was definitely the high point of the year for me. I was amazed and humbled by the warm hospitality showered on me. It is a stunningly beautiful country which offers an array of adrenaline pumping adventures, breath-taking views, and rich cultural experiences. The most memorable moments for me were Skydiving and playing cricket on a glacier with Stephen Fleming. The ultimate highlight was meeting the Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Rt. Hon. John Key in Wellington. I urge people from Gujarat to visit this magical country and experience everything first hand. It will be a life changing journey.”
Five key travel agents attended the media event and highlighted their long standing association with New Zealand. They included Mr. Amod Thatte, Head Products & Innovation, Outbound Division, SOTC, Mr. Ashutosh Mehere, Chief Operating Officer – Alliances & Special Projects, COX & KINGS LTD, Ms. Deepti Mehta, Vice President, Products & Operations, Leisure Travel Outbound, Thomas Cook India (Ltd), Ms. Neelu Singh. Director and CEO, Ezeego1, India and Mr. Pratik Shah, Chief Operating Officer, Kulin Kumar Holidays.
Additional Information
Tourism New Zealand markets New Zealand to the world as a visitor destination. In the year ending April 2016, 3.27 million international visitors came to New Zealand. International tourism is one of New Zealand’s largest earners of foreign exchange, adding around NZ$11.8 billion annually to the nation’s economy.www.tourismnewzealand.com.
Visa procedure: One may forward their application to the TT office in Mumbai or Delhi, which will then be directed to the High Commission. A visitor visa for New Zealand is processed within 15 working days. www.immigration.govt.nz
Airline connections: Connecting flights to New Zealand are available on Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines with stop-overs in their respective hubs. New Zealand’s international gateways are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Domestic services: You can fly between all New Zealand cities and most major towns using domestic air services. Air New Zealand and Jetstar are the main providers. Their services are complemented by regional airlines, charter companies and scenic flight operators.
