Look After Me Press Room http://lookafterme.co.nz/blog/press-room Press releases and articles from Look After Me Mon, 02 Dec 2024 09:00:39 +1300 Press Room en-nz info@lookafterme.co.nz Copyright 2024 New Tourism Concept unveiled at TRENZ Hui Otautahi-Christchurch http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/new-tourism-concept-unveiled-at-trenz-hui-otautahi-christchurch HIlary Barry at TRENZ ChristchurchNZ #TRENZHui21A fresh, collborative, community-led approach has breathed life into a new Tourism Concept.

The concept is a fusion between traditional hotels and cloud-based software.

It provides singles, couples and small groups with a clean, safe and more regenerative way to travel.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Sun, 09 May 2021 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room Baby Boomers NZ News
Slow is the new Go for Holiday Package Winners http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/slow-is-the-new-go-for-holiday-package-winners Zonta Festival of Gardens Rotorua Prize winner of pamper me package Julia Anne Look After Me Accommodation Jemma and Philip McDonald welcomed the Holiday Season with an extra special gift under the Christmas Tree this year.

They were winners of the Major Raffle Prize for The Festival in the Gardens fundraising event presented by the Zonta Club of Rotorua, held at Palmers in late 2020.

The prize draw was sponsored by local Accommodation and Events company Look After Me. 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Tue, 12 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +1300 News Press Room Competitions
Tourism stats show promise for Rotorua bed and breakfast owners http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/tourism-stats-show-promise-for-rotorua-bed-and-breakfast-owners Vivien Cooper, Colin McPhee and Julia Anne - Bed and Breakfast RotoruaWhen it comes to looking after her guests, Viv Cooper is a pro. For 14 years she's run a bed and breakfast in Rotorua.

Accommodation around New Zealand has taken a major hit in the wake of Covid-19. But revealing new statistics suggest that bed and breakfast providers like Viv may stand to benefit from a new wave of travellers.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Mon, 06 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
Carrying on Calmly http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/carrying-on-calmly Carrying Calmly on - Guests of the Queen's High Tea enjoying themselves at Olveston Historic HomeThe Queen's High Tea was was one of many 'Keep Calm and Carry On' Events held around the country at Queen's Birthday Weekend.

It was aimed at bringing support to local tourism operators and cafe owners following the lockdown.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Wed, 03 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
Rotorua Queen's Birthday high tea parties to be held, with a twist http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/rotorua-queens-birthday-high-tea-parties-to-be-held-with-a-twist Events manager Julia Anne (left), co-Director Colin MacPhee, mayor Steve Chadwick and Prince's Gate Hotel Events Manager Stephen Taylor.A Rotorua event manager is using the power of technology to host a Queen's Birthday high tea party nationwide.

The initiative called Keep Calm and Carry On aims to hold virtual and real tea party events in Dunedin and Rotorua.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
Hobbies and Interests emerge as new travel trend from #HacktheCrisisNZ http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/hobbies-and-interests-emerge-as-new-travel-trend-from-hackthecrisisnz

Once NZ moves to a lower alert level, 62% of New Zealanders are ‘extremely likely’ to travel nationally.

Cleanliness is now the number one factor that will influence guests buying decisions, nudging ahead of price. Location, comfort and wi-fi were also considerations.

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Mon, 20 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
The Big (Bad Wolf?) Bed Tax Debate http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/the-big-bad-wolf-bed-tax-debate We hosted a debate on the possible Bed Tax that may be applied across the industry. It was open to home-owners, hoteliers, local businesses, government officials, and anyone interested in bettering New Zealand.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 10 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +1300 News Press Room
Accommodation Network Gets Set to Introduce Creative Journeys and Educational Festivals http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/accommodation-network-gets-set-to-introduce-creative-journeys-and-educational-festivals Tourism Ticker talked to Look After Me’s founder and tech entrepreneur, Julia Anne (formerly Charity), on establishing New Zealand’s largest homestay network.

They also discussed expanding to include Creative Events and Educational Festivals and navigating some of the difficulties involved with pioneering the shared access economy in New Zealand.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 29 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
Not A Real Job Podcast http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/not-a-real-job-podcast accommodation, digital hotel, stay dunedin, look after me, new zealand bed and breakfast and homestay, not a real job podcast Dr Julia Charity was interviewed on the Podcast series, Not A Real Job, and explained how her Digital Hotel Business has become a full time job for her. 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
Accommodation still available http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/accommodation-still-available look after me, accommodation, digital hotel, new zealand homestay and bed and breakfastDespite an estimated 60,000 people expected to visit Dunedin during Easter, plenty of accommodation is still available in the city, providers say.

Otago Motel Association executive member Michael Young, who owns 858 on George Street, said accommodation was still available at the city’s motels over the weekend, as many people had booked before they secured concert tickets and ended up changing their bookings.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 15 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
World's First Digital Hotel Officially Declared Open http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/worlds-first-digital-hotel-officially-declared-open oney, travel, accommodation, Look After Me, New Zealand Homestay, Bed and BreakfastThe evening of Thursday 8 February saw Dunedin’s heritage listed Penthouse on Stafford street, staging the launch of the world’s first completely digital hotel.

Entrepreneur, Dr Julia Charity, launched her new digital hotel, with the help of the Mayor of Dunedin, His Worship Dave Cull, and actress Rebecca Gibney. Homeowners can now take advantage of a new web-based platform, to offer their spare rooms and the comfort of their homes for hire.

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
Digital Hotel Opens in Dunedin http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/digital-hotel-opens-in-dunedin oney, travel, accommodation, Look After Me, New Zealand Homestay, Bed and Breakfast, radio, interview, Otago Access RadioDunedin Entrepreneur Dr Julia Charity was interviewed by Jeff Harford on the Oarsome Morning Show about her Digital Hotel business.

Julia tells us about the story behind Look After Me and her latest intitiative in Dunedin. 

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
Scientist finds her calling in homestay businesses http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/scientist-finds-her-calling-in-homestay-businesses Look After Me Accommodation network New Zealand. Alternative to AirBnB Plus. Stay Dunedin World’s first digital hotel   Dunedin entrepreneur Julia Charity has come up with the novel concept of a "pop-up" digital 1000-bed hotel in the city to cope with the influx of visitors during major events.

Dr Charity is now looking for at least 400 homeowners willing to host guests for summer events, such as the Ed Sheeran concerts, and beyond.

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Sat, 27 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
Digital hotel site seeks rooms in Dunedin houses http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/digital-hotel-site-seeks-rooms-in-dunedin-houses Look After Me Accommodation network New Zealand. Alternative to AirBnB Plus. Stay Dunedin World’s first digital hotel   New Zealand Homestay Bed and BreakfastA Dunedin entrepreneur is launching a campaign to increase the city’s accommodation capacity for major concerts and sporting events by giving homeowners a slice of the action.

Dr Julia Charity, a scientist, entrepreneur and recent arrival in the city, is launching a “Sharin’ for Sheeran” campaign, creating a digital hotel under the umbrella of her nationwide Look After Me accommodation network.

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 25 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
Accommodation network appoints new Director http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/accommodation-network-appoints-new-director Mike Johnson Director Look After Me Accommodation Network New Zealand alternative AirBnB in New Zealand for Baby Boomer travel World's First Digital Hotel, Mike Johnson, Look After Me, Accommodation, New Zealand Homestay, Bed and Breakfast, Digital HotelRotorua-founded business, Look After Me, has announced the appointment of a new Director with effect from 1 August 2017.

With over 55 years experience in New Zealand’s tourism industry, Mike Johnson brings a wealth of experience, including twenty-five years owning an international tourism marketing company and involvement with national tourism bodies.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Tue, 15 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
To B&B or not to B&B? That is the Question! http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/to-b-b-or-not-to-b-b-that-is-the-question

By Monica Lewis

Traveling incites some wonderful sayings. One of my favourite quotes is this;

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

I couldn’t agree more and personally I’d like to read all the pages and see the greenest of grass on the other side. But even if you have retired we may have the time to travel, there is the sordid question of the 'means'.

When one grows-up, intrepid travel does seem less romantic. Sleeping in a tent or in bunk beds in a dormitory loses its appeal for some of us and understandably so. There are the physical restrictions once the bones have gone weary. 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 15 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +1300 News Baby Boomers NZ Competitions Press Room
Five reasons to celebrate five years of start-up - Look After Me birthday celebrations http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/five-reasons-to-celebrate-five-years-of-start-up-look-after-me-birthday-celebrations Look After Me Accommodation Network - 5th birthday. Rotorua Entrepreneur Julia Charity celebrates five years of business For each of the five candles on her technology start-up company’s birthday cake, founder Dr Julia Charity has a reason to celebrate.

Charity’s company, ‘Look After Me’ launched in July 2011, ahead of the Rugby World Cup. It is an on-line market place that sells accommodation for short-term stays all over New Zealand.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 21 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +1200 News Press Room
Home Exchange and Look After Me Announce Partnership http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/home-exchange-and-look-after-me-announce-partnership HomeExchange announces partnership with Look After Me - accommodation Auckland with seaviewsHomeExchange and Look After Me announced a partnership that enables Look After Me members to register with HomeExchange and swap homes with 65,000 listings around the world.

Look After Me customers can now create an account on HomeExchange with their existing User email and Password and become active members of the international community. A badge on their profile shows guests and hosts that they are also a member of the world’s largest home exchange network.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 16 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
On-line accommodation market place - finalist in New Zealand's Innovators Awards http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/on-line-accommodation-market-place-finalist-in-new-zealands-innovators-awards Book Accommodation all over New Zealand - Look After Me - New Zealand's on-line accommodation market place specialising in home hosting and Bed and Breakfasts. New Zealand's alternative to AirBnB Look After Me - online accommodation market place has been judged as one of New Zealand's Innovative companies, securing a place as Finalist in the Marketing and Communications Category. 

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +1300 Competitions News Press Room
Impressive Pitch wins Entrepreneur Award at Rotorua X Start-up night http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/impressive-pitch-wins-entrepreneur-award-at-rotorua-x-start-up-night

Rotorua Entrepeneur Julia Charity wins Start Up Pitch Awards

Disabled Diving NZ's Hielke Oppers inspired the 100 plus crowd and the judges to win both Best Social Enterprise Pitch and the People's Choice Award at Rotorua X's Start-up Pitch night.

Julia Charity's 'Look After Me' accommodation business, won Best Commercial Pitch at the event, held this week.

Both took a share of the $8000 prize pool of business support services, mentoring and training.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Fri, 09 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room News
"Small business heroes show courage and ingenuity" http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/small-business-heroes-show-courage-and-ingenuity Accommodation online, Look After Me, Small business heroes show courage and ingenuity

Two Rotorua businesses have been named as national finalists in The David Awards for 2015.

Ros Morshead, of Morshead Law is a finalist in the ‘Most Outstanding Lifestyle Business’ for her work in epitomising the ability to use technology to integrate business and lifestyle.

Dr Julia Charity who founded Look After Me – an online market place for accommodation all over New Zealand, is a finalist for ‘The Solo Meo Award’ which recognises a business owner who runs their business single-handedly.

Look After Me is also a finalist for the ‘Most Outstanding Triumph over Adversity’ in recognition for success in spite of challenges beyond the usual.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Wed, 30 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room News
"Seven Local entries make final cut in Innovation Awards." http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/seven-local-entries-make-final-cut-in-innovation-awards Seven local entries, Look After MeSeven entries from the Bay of Plenty have made it into the finals of the New Zealand Innovation Awards with the winners being named on October 21.

 

The finalists include Ubco, Scion, Rhondium, Roholm, Terax 2013 and Look After Me, with Alistair Scarfe, head of Robotics Plus, named in the Young New Zealand Innovator category.

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +1200 Surveys Press Room
'Look After Me - New Zealand's Hospitality at it's best? http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/look-after-me-new-zealands-hospitality-at-its-best Julia Charity Rotorua Inteview Rotorua City News, Talks about AirBnB New ZealandRotorua City News spoke recently to Julia Charity, Founder of Look After Me, New Zealand's accommodation network.

Julia explains why Look After Me specialy describes how the local council has got behind her and discusses inplications for the tourism industry of New Zealand.

What follows is the transcript of the interview. 

To go straight to the interview click here.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Mon, 24 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +1200 News Press Room
Becoming a host with Look After Me http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/becoming-a-host-with-look-after-me By Monica Louis

What to do, once you’ve withdrawn from the daily duty of putting bread on the table? Have you ever wondered about turning your home into your business?

A wonderful Robert Palmer song sums it up in the opening line; “the fight to make ends meet keep a man on his feet” (click to hear the song)

Despite our moaning about the traffic when we were obliged to travel to the office every day - maybe now we miss it! Without the deadlines and obligations which in turn give the drive to get started in the morning; what to do with all that available time?  Sure for some there are family demands, clubs or volunteer commitments that help fill the day but those activities take up time and money and give back – let’s say - a non-material return on investment . For some of us the chance to make a bit of pocket money while doing something we love doesn’t sound so bad. 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +1200 Baby Boomers NZ Press Room News
Q&A: Look After Me founder Julia Charity http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/q-a-look-after-me-founder-julia-charity Q&A Session With New Zealand entrepreneur Dr. Julia Charity.  She talks with Caitlin Sykes about the online marketplace.

Published in Business section of the New Zealand Herald.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +1200 News Press Room
Car sharing business 'part of transport solution' http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/car-sharing-business-part-of-transport-solution As a student of transport engineering Oscar Ellison was aware there were lots of cars sitting idle in driveways, but the point was further hit home when he bought his own first car.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room News
Few Spaces Remain As Fieldays near http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/few-spaces-remain-as-fieldays-near Accommodation is filling up as farmers and football fans prepare to pour into Hamilton next week.

An overlap of Fieldays and the Fifa U-20s World Cup has seen much of the accommodation snapped up, but there are still some rooms remaining in the city's motel sector. 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room News
Waikato Homeowners opening up hearts and homes for Fieldays http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/waikato-homeowners-opening-up-hearts-and-homes-for-fieldays Waikato homeowners are being urged to embrace NZ’s farming community as they pour into the city and help bridge the shortfall in beds needed for Fieldays, the Southern hemisphere's largest agricultural showpiece festival coming to Mystery Creek and FIFA U20 World cup this month.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room News
10 questions with Tourism Entrepreneur – Julia Charity http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/10-questions-with-tourism-entrepreneur-julia-charity New Zealand Rotorua Entrepreneur Julia Charity on line accommodation Network Look After Me peer- to peer platformThis month, NZ Entrepreneur Magazine talks to Dr Julia Charity – Founder of a Peer-to-Peer accommodation platform where guests can book accommodation with like minded hosts.  Now the largest and fastest growing Homestay Network in New Zealand, we ask Julia how she got started, what it’s really like to be an Entrepreneur in New Zealand and her hopes and dreams for the future.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Fri, 29 May 2015 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room News
Peer-to-Peer: The Sharing Economy in New Zealand http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/peer-to-peer-the-sharing-economy-in-new-zealand Peer to peer, business magazine, Julia Charity, Women in business Coined as the 21st Century’s ‘Collaboration Revolution’, global indicators point towards the rapid rise of the Sharing Economy.  This translates to both opportunities and warnings for New Zealand.  Julia Charity investigates. 

[published in Management Magazine, April 2015]

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Fri, 10 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +1200 Press Room
Women shown entrepreneurial path http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/women-shown-entrepreneurial-path Women in business, Homestay Network, Scientist-turned-businesswoman, Julia Charity , Rotorua entrepreneurScientist-turned-businesswoman says you have to know how long your runway is.

Rotorua scientist-turned-entrepreneur Julia Charity led a panel discussion of seven prominent Kiwi businesswomen to launch a female entrepreneur week.

 
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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 19 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +1300 News Press Room
TV Rotorua City News showcases Rotorua Homestays http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/tv-rotorua-city-news-showcases-rotorua-homestays Homestay, New Zealands Homestay Network, Rotorua Homestay, Tv Rotorua, Home hosted accommodation 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.

 

Watch Video

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Thu, 12 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
Potential Economic impact of Free Trade Agreement between NZ and China http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/potential-economic-impact-of-free-trade-agreement-between-nz-and-china Published in NZBusiness Magazine: With strengthening relations between China and New Zealand and evidence for strong economic benefit – we take a cloFree Trade Agreement New Zealand & China, Chinese Reality TV Show, ‘Daddy, where are we Going’?  Filmed in Rotorua, NZ Homestay Networkser look at the NZ-China Free-Trade Agreement, the rise of service industries and their possible economic impact. Julia Charity investigates.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
NZ's Homestay Network makes its mark http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/nzs-homestay-network-makes-its-mark NZ Homestay Network, NZBusiness, Look After Me Online market place 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.

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Sun, 01 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +1300 Press Room
Wherever you lay your bat, that's your home - accommodation for the Cricket World Cup 2015 http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/wherever-you-lay-your-bat-thats-your-home-accommodation-for-the-cricket-world-cup-2015 ICC cricket world cup, NZ homestay, accommodation, Home hosted

With the Cricket World Cup 2015 underway, the seven host cities are expected to reach full capacity. Backpackers, hotels and motels are being snapped up as thousands of supporters from around the world support one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

 

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +1300 News Press Room
Rotorua Homestays in the spotlight - China's Daddy where are we going? http://lookafterme.co.nz/article/rotorua-homestays-in-the-spotlight-chinas-daddy-where-are-we-going Daddy where are we going China, filmed in Rotorua New Zealand 2014Rotorua 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。

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info@lookafterme.co.nz Mon, 08 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +1200 News Press Room