Safe Driving Video Featured on Air New Zealand flights from China, Hong Kong
The 30-second video was developed by Tourism New Zealand and the New Zealand Transport Agency after numerous recent crashes involved tourists.
A 30-second, Chinese language driver safety video is now included on in-flight entertainment systems on daily Air New Zealand international flights from China and Hong Kong into New Zealand, the New Zealand Transport Agency announced, saying the video was developed by it and Tourism New Zealand after numerous recent crashes involved tourists. China is New Zealand's second-largest visitor market. "It has been growing and evolving rapidly, with Chinese holidaymakers increasingly choosing to self-drive rather than experience a more traditional coach tour," according to the transport agency's announcement.
The video is available on Tourism New Zealand's Chinese language consumer website and here on Youku, the Chinese version of YouTube.
"No one ever wants to hear of a holiday that ends in a road crash or worse," said Kevin Bowler, Tourism New Zealand's chief executive. "The experience visitors have in New Zealand is critical to their overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending New Zealand to others. We know that driving conditions in New Zealand are very different to those experienced in China and Hong Kong, and this can come as something of a surprise to some of our visitors. We are committed to improving the quality of holiday experience for travelers, and this video is a fantastic example of agencies working collaboratively to provide some simple safety messages."
Transport Agency Road Safety Director Ernst Zollner said it is vital that visitors understand New Zealand's unique driving conditions before they hit the road. "Serious road crashes involving visitors are devastating for everyone affected, including New Zealand drivers, and we don’t want to see holidays in this beautiful country marred by road crashes. We're pleased to see a range of new channels and products being developed to help keep visitors safe behind the wheel," he said. "It's important to improve tourists' awareness of New Zealand driving conditions, but we're also looking at ways of encouraging visitors to hire the safest rental vehicles they can afford, promoting safe and realistic route choices and travel itineraries, and improving signage and road markings."