Filmmaker James Cameron is sharing his love of New Zealand, fronting a new video that gives the world a glimpse of what it is about the country that captivates him like nowhere else.
Cameron’s personal connection with New Zealand stems from his very first visit in the mid-90s.
“I came as a stranger, I knew very little about New Zealand, and I left in love with it. Not just the beauty of the land that is very seductive, but the dynamic spirit of the people. I had never felt a connection to a place that strongly before. And I never really lost that dream.”
That same charm that has captivated Cameron is luring Filipinos in droves to this rising travel destination. Filipino tourist arrivals in the country have reached 16,880 as of June this year, up 32.2 percent from last year. With Cameron’s new video, it’s easy to see why.
In collaboration with Tourism New Zealand, Cameron and his wife spent four days filming, taking in the natural wonders of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island. The couple walks on the Tasman Glacier, kayaks through a Dart River canyon and takes in the sweeping views of Blanket Bay by helicopter. They hike on the alpine Routeburn Track, cycle beside Lake Pukaki and visit Mount Alfred in the Glenorchy area near Queenstown.
The Cameron family has a coastal estate north of the capital city, Wellington, where he is immersed in the development of the next Avatar. They divide their time between New Zealand and California. He says, “There is so much to see and experience and you can do it all because everything is so close together. We go on hikes, cycle the incredible trails, kayak in the ocean and walk through the forest. If you enjoy the outdoors and you enjoy a sense of adventure, you’re not going to be able to beat this place anywhere in the world.”
A world-renowned explorer and environmentalist, Cameron is passionate about discovery. “When you see something you have never seen before, it’s a wonderful experience. It’s like a living painting; it’s never the same view two days in a row.”
The Cameron video will roll out in Tourism New Zealand’s key markets around the world and Regional Manager for South and Southeast Asia Steve Dixon is confident it will inspire more Filipinos to visit New Zealand.
He says, “Having someone of the caliber of James Cameron sharing his personal stories and insights while exploring some of New Zealand’s most beautiful places is of immeasurable value for New Zealand. Filipinos would feel right at home with New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes and welcoming, creative people.”
To view James Cameron’s video head to goo.gl/WI0jGk.
PHOTOS BY ALISTAIR GUTHRIE
