Tourism New Zealand has introduced an innovative new way for travellers from the United Kingdom (UK) seeking adventure on the other side of the world to plan their journeys.
A new gamified looking experience leverages a trip planner powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and a completely playable Minecraft re-creation of the country. GuideGeek Technology is the brains behind a remarkable initiative that offers practical travel advice and allows UK travellers to explore New Zealand before they have even booked a flight.
A UK Traveller’s Planning Companion
The AI trip planner on Newzealand.com answers frequently asked questions helpful to UK visitors.
Travellers can get answers to questions about the best time to go hiking, whitewater rafting or how long the trip will last from London. It’s an excellent starting point.
Through machine-learning technology, AI then applies the advice to your interests. The tech uses data from the Tourism New Zealand database, which is loaded with information from more than one thousand travel content sources.
This information is especially helpful to first-time holidaymakers who want to understand the distance, time zones and seasonal differences.
This trip planner does not just churn out generic answers. It helps people map out the trip in a way that fits their budget, timeframe and pace.
Minecraft Meets Maori Culture
The launch of the trip planner tied in with Warner Bros’ A Minecraft Movie released this year, giving Tourism New Zealand the perfect platform to create the world’s first playable country game.
Maori tribal groups, Warner Bros, Mojang Studios and local tourism operators collaborated to bring iconic New Zealand sights to life in block form.
The Minecraft version of New Zealand allows UK travellers to kayak through the famous Abel Tasman National Park, wander Hobbiton and explore the Waitomo glowworm caves.
All these places in the game imitate the real-life edifice, allowing travellers to choose which adventure they would d prefer ahead of time. The AI trip planner also refers to this game world to show travellers images, activities and a real-life demonstration of the experience.
Younger travellers will enjoy this gamified tourism experience. It is the perfect hook as it playfully engages their curiosity and excitement.
New Zealand iGaming Operators Could Adopt Similar Tech
This innovative AI and gaming approach could be used by the New Zealand iGaming industry to attract overseas visitors to their platforms.
Companies could utilise the GuideGeek conversational model to point international players to licensed online gaming platforms. It could show them exciting promotions based on their interests and games designed around New Zealand’s rich culture.
For example, UK travellers could get a tour of an online casino that uses real-life scenery to paint the picture for the digital experience, just as Minecraft does for tourism content.
There are numerous casinos online in NZ and players could get a test run experience of the sites before determining which one would best suit their needs.
Linking the iGaming industry to tourism also allows each sector to generate even more income for the economy through tax revenue.
Engagement Converts Browsers into Bookers
The AI trip planner launched in late 2024, and almost 200,000 people have used it. Those who utilise it record 600 percent more interactions compared to average visitors.
Integrating Minecraft was a brilliant idea. It has been incredibly effective in key tourism markets, generating over 50,000 active users in only a few months.
The days when travellers had to read glossy travel magazines that didn’t paint the whole picture are long gone, giving way to interactive decision-making tools.
People can try before they fly by exploring tourist hotspots virtually before booking a tour, finding the closest hotel to the airport and the best travel seasons.
Tourism New Zealand’s General Manager of Marketing, Brodie McLeish, believes the project will be instrumental in moving visitors through the dreaming, planning and booking phase.
Matador Network CEO Ross Borden lauded the project as next-level destination marketing, as it allows you to explore the southern hemisphere instead of simply advertising it.
A Richer Cultural Connection
One of the more interesting aspects of this project is the link-up with the Maori tribes.
They have provided authentic stories, traditions and cultural knowledge that goes into the AI responses and the Minecraft world. The experience immerses you in local culture and has massive benefits for regional tourism.
Local businesses, such as boutiques and tour operators, have contributed their data to the AI knowledge base. This creates a system that allows visitors to discover both popular spots such as Queenstown and Rotorua or other underexplored gems.
UK travellers looking to explore deeper than famous hotspots can plan more expansive trips to support local communities.
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