TV Rotorua City News talks to Dr Julia Charity, about NZ's fastest growing Homestay network. 'Look After Me Ltd' - NZ's Homestay Network, has gained global exposure via reality television programmes that were aired in China and Korea.

The Chinese version of the show, 'Daddy, where are we Going' was filmed in Rotorua and at Hobbiton.

The show was watched by an estimated 404 million viewers live and 1.4 billion via global satellite. 

TV Rotorua's report Kiri Danielle visited Althea (a Look After Me Host in Rotorua) at her beautiful B&B 'Pohutu Vista'. Althea explains why she joined the Homestay Network and what she enjoys about hosting guests.

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Published in NZBusiness Magazine: With strengthening relations between China and New Zealand and evidence for strong economic benefit – we take a closer look at the NZ-China Free-Trade Agreement, the rise of service industries and their possible economic impact. Julia Charity investigates.

Published in NZBusiness Magazine: From humble beginnings, Rotorua business ‘Look After Me’, has grown to become New Zealand’s largest, fastest growing Homestay Network.

It’s an on-line market place where homeowners offer short-term accommodation for paying guests in guest wings, self-contained units and spare rooms. ‘Look After Me’ provides accommodation on 18 of New Zealand’s 23 Cycle Trails and supports major events like Art Deco in Napier and Womad in New Plymouth.

Recently we published a blog from European Film Makers Natalie and Mael’s journey to Rotorua. Today we are following another couple Rafa& Veronica who also work for bedycasa. We will be following their trip to through Matamata, Te Aroha & Cambridge.

Do you fancy a weekend away sampling fabulous food, with its' passionate creators?

Helping you find affordable accommodation at your favourite event this summer

Don't you just love a great event?! We support most major events around NZ. Coming soon are Raggamuffin, Art Deco, WOMAD, Bike Fest and Balloons over Waikato.

Why not stay with friendly Look After Me hosts? They're mostly kiwis just like you. We match you with people who 'get you' and love what you're into to. Hey...they may even be going to the same event!

New Zealand’s Homestay Network recently hosted Europe's top film makers  Natalie and Mael. The couple was selected from 4000 entrants who competed to secure their place on a Round The World Tour of Homestays.

In New Zealand, Mael and Natalie travelled to Rotorua to experience the Lake Tarawera trail and ecotour, geothermal activity and Maori cultures - all with matching Homestay experiences. 

Our New Zealand Homestays were featured in China's most popular TV show 'Dad! Where are we Going? 

跟随星爸萌娃探索奇幻之都—罗托鲁瓦 一起来体验神奇和精彩的罗托鲁瓦

The show, which is watched by hundreds of millions world-wide, was filmed in Rotorua and New Zealand’s central North Island for a week in 2014.

New Zealand is the only international destination to feature in the show which follows celebrity fathers Huang Lei, Lu Yi, Yang Wei, Cao Ge and Wu Zhen Yu as they stay with Rotorua Homestay families and explore the region.

In the two 100-minute long Rotorua episodes, the celebrities experience New Zealand culture and accomplish a series of missions with or against each other.

The celebrites stayed with New Zealand host families who involved them in activities and tourist attractions. 

Rich in culture New Zealand welcomes travelers with a warm inviting greeting '"Kia ora!"

Rotorua has landed a leading role in China's most popular reality TV show, which will be watched by millions of potential visitors.

The show, called Dad, Where Are We Going?, has been filming in Rotorua and the central North Island for a week, with its stars visiting some of the region's most picturesque locations. 

聚光灯下的Rotorua—中国的“爸爸去哪儿”

在中国的一档最受欢迎的电视真人秀“爸爸去哪儿”中，Rotorua 扮演了一个很重要的角色，因为目前这档将会被数百万的潜在观众观看的节目，正在这里进行着为期一周的拍摄，而节目中的明星们正也参观着当地最风景如画的地方。Rotorua这个地区的迷人风景将会呈现在“爸爸去哪儿第二季” 最近的两集中。但是由于双方合同的一些限制，具体拍摄的一些地方的细节问题还不能对外公开。

Second place and the People’s Choice award for the inaugural Rotorua Start-Up Pitch Night event went to Dr. Julia Charity, who founded 'Look After Me - New Zealand's Homestay Network. Accepting her award, Charity said she had worked tirelessly for three years to bring an idea from absolutely nothing into something.

“Rotorua really needs events like this. It helps create and support an entrepreneurial community,” she said.

“Through determination and grit I have created something from nothing. The world has changed and New Zealand needs its own Homestay Network. I'm doing this for the people of New Zealand and it's so wonderful to receive this award. 

Winning the People’s Choice provides awhi for me along my entrepreneurial journey.”

One of the below-the-radar categories for tourism across New Zealand is the Bed and Breakfast and Home stay market, which tourism experts suggest could account for significantly more than the officially monitored visitor bed nights. And new online apps and sites are allowing increasing numbers to access private household accommodation.

'Look After Me' Homestay Network is founded on hospitality and sharing what we love. 

So when we heard the saddening news of high statistics of depression in the rural sector; we knew exactly what to do.

We are proud to announce our competition to gift a retreat to a deserving farmer. We hope that they will indulge in an opportunity to getaway for a couple of days, recharge and relax.

For details of our Press Release please click here.

Try these five family activity ideas in Rotorua for a relaxing and exciting getaway!

Look After Me Homestay Network was chosen as 'Hot Pick" in May's Next Magazine

Want the chance to cycle alongside lush native forest, impressive geysers and bubbling mud pools? Rotorua's Thermal by Bike has all that, and more.

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