Statistics New Zealand–the well-known national statistical bureau–has allegedly has said that the amazing attraction of the Middle-earth coupled with a developing economy witnessed the visitor figures & migration to the country head north to historic levels recently. During May, 2013—registering a growth of 8.7% on May 2012—as many as 153,000 migrants landed in the country even as the same was also the most impressive May number, as per record.

Talking about the development, the Tourism Head of the country observed that the data supports a rising drift which began in January only to reveal marketing attempts to utilize ‘the Hobbit’–the latest Hollywood blockbuster–as a catalyst for tourism were bearing fruits.

He added that a strong improvement (in the visitor figures) post the release of the previous Hollywood blockbuster ‘the Lord of the Rings’ was seen before. Hence, the government was positive that the nation would receive an encouraging impact from ‘The Hobbit’. For those not tuned in, the stunning landscapes of New Zealand have been generously used in both the movies.

Further, in the said month, short-term influx from Australia increased by 12.3% even as the volume of the travelers from China headed north by 30.2%. furthe4rmore, conventional markets–which have been subjected to pressure following the world meltdown–also revealed indications of life, with additional guests from Germany, the US, the , & Japan, in relation to May 2012.

Significantly, the fast-developing economy of the Kiwi Land, i.e., New Zealand, also proved to be a shot in the arm for immigration, with a net 1700 extra persons shifting to the nation, as compared to departing in May. The same followed an overall increase of 1600 in April.