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Tourism New Zealand develops 'layer' for Google Earth

First tourism authority to get linked to search engine

ETW Staff - Mumbai

Search engine Google, through its popular Google Earth™ product, has teamed up with New Zealand's tourism marketing organisation to create a new ‘layer’ on Google Earth. This is the first time that a tourism authority has developed an official ‘layer’ for Google Earth.

The 100 per cent Pure New Zealand layer will introduce and graphically illustrate Visitor Centres, 'Points of Interest' (towns) and 'Bubbles' (scenic highlights) on Google Earth and provide a link to www.newzealand.com for more extensive information, maps, links to accommodation, transport and activities.

Minister of tourism Damien O'Connor said that the partnership between Google Earth and Tourism New Zealand was a great fit. "The www.newzealand.com website will be linked from Google Earth's New Zealand locations, so that people around the world will be able to access information about our country as never before" said O'Connor.

Dr Craig Nevill-Manning, Google's head of engineering in New York says that Google is excited to partner with Tourism New Zealand. "The 100 per cent Pure New Zealand layer will allow users worldwide to explore the best that New Zealand has to offer, showcasing its natural wonders and tourist attractions. It will also further demonstrate how Google Earth can serve as a dynamic tool for discovery."

Google has partnered with other organisations to develop "layers" for its popular Google Earth product, including National Geographic, the United Nations Environmental Program and Discovery Networks. Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings to provide in-depth, easily accessible geographic information.