Notes From A Small Island
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@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
I don't mind the price of tourist activities. Supply/demand and all that. They aren't set up for Kiwi's living in NZ. They are set up to those who can afford to travel.
Locals whinge about the price of tourist activities the world over. We constantly get it (despite the huge discounts offered for locals).
The impression is we have inflated prices to fleece tourists. The reality is, tourism margins are fucking tiny, the major cost is usually people, and people are expensive, and need to be paid no matter how many visitors turn up. Agents expect the world, and want to pay nothing, and commission levels are inflated by competition.
Tourism is a bloody hard gig to make a buck out of.
I'd love to know how much Hobbiton makes. That place is always heaving with tourists and it's really expensive to go. They breached their resource consent of 300,000 pax by having 500,000 last year I think. Applying to increase to 600k at Adult rates of $84 per tour. That is reasonable coin even if only 75% are adults.
It's successful enough that someone now does Matamata - Auckland return flights just to get to hobbiton.
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@Hooroo that's an astounding number of people. Our busiest Park in our record year had a bit over half of that!!!
I imagine they are raking it in based on that. It would be well past their "gravy" point, and every extra person is just hitting the bottom line (at a guess, based on one look at their operation, but not understanding their back-of-house).
I wonder what they pay in the way of licensing or royalties?
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@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo that's an astounding number of people. Our busiest Park in our record year had a bit over half of that!!!
I imagine they are raking it in based on that. It would be well past their "gravy" point, and every extra person is just hitting the bottom line (at a guess, based on one look at their operation, but not understanding their back-of-house).
I wonder what they pay in the way of licensing or royalties?
Good point. I have no idea. I'm sure it's the same guy that originally owned the farm that is creaming it.
I wonder if he offered up his land so long as he could use the model for tourist activities without royalties being paid?
I truly have no idea.
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@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo that's an astounding number of people. Our busiest Park in our record year had a bit over half of that!!!
I imagine they are raking it in based on that. It would be well past their "gravy" point, and every extra person is just hitting the bottom line (at a guess, based on one look at their operation, but not understanding their back-of-house).
I wonder what they pay in the way of licensing or royalties?
Good point. I have no idea. I'm sure it's the same guy that originally owned the farm that is creaming it.
I wonder if he offered up his land so long as he could use the model for tourist activities without royalties being paid?
I truly have no idea.
it would take an astonishing lack of foresight for the studio and the estate of Tolkein not to be getting their cut.
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@jegga said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@dogmeat said in Notes From A Small Island:
re the friendliness of Aucklanders, I cycled round the Waitemata on Saturday. I decided to test this .
That's because all of the unfriendly, grumpy fluffybunnies have come up here to ruin my live.
It is possible that it is me, not them, that is a little unfriendly, but I'm blaming them.@dogmeat said in Notes From A Small Island:
As an aside shitloads of people out running and riding on a blustery day. Must be all the New Years Resolutions
So should be deserted again by Saturday.
I’m sure the number of your neighbors will mysteriously fall depending on how full your freezer is.
The Aucklanders aren't neighbours just unwelcome invaders. A bit like possums. Strangely enough though I am picking up a new freezer on Wednesday...
@booboo said in Notes From A Small Island:
@jegga @Snowy wouldn't it be about time to start fitting out a new winter wardrobe?
A bit early but best to plan ahead.
@jegga said in Notes From A Small Island:
Buy shares in companies that make skin lotion
Nah. I have mentioned before that it ruins the natural waterproofing. Hollywood bullshit.
@JC said in Notes From A Small Island:
... and hoses.
Actually, yes to that. Best way to get the wife to behave. A good hosing...
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@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo that's an astounding number of people. Our busiest Park in our record year had a bit over half of that!!!
I imagine they are raking it in based on that. It would be well past their "gravy" point, and every extra person is just hitting the bottom line (at a guess, based on one look at their operation, but not understanding their back-of-house).
I wonder what they pay in the way of licensing or royalties?
Good point. I have no idea. I'm sure it's the same guy that originally owned the farm that is creaming it.
I wonder if he offered up his land so long as he could use the model for tourist activities without royalties being paid?
I truly have no idea.
it would take an astonishing lack of foresight for the studio and the estate of Tolkein not to be getting their cut.
I wonder if anyone would have thought it had this type of longevity. I can't believe how popular it still is.
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@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo that's an astounding number of people. Our busiest Park in our record year had a bit over half of that!!!
I imagine they are raking it in based on that. It would be well past their "gravy" point, and every extra person is just hitting the bottom line (at a guess, based on one look at their operation, but not understanding their back-of-house).
I wonder what they pay in the way of licensing or royalties?
Good point. I have no idea. I'm sure it's the same guy that originally owned the farm that is creaming it.
I wonder if he offered up his land so long as he could use the model for tourist activities without royalties being paid?
I truly have no idea.
it would take an astonishing lack of foresight for the studio and the estate of Tolkein not to be getting their cut.
I wonder if anyone would have thought it had this type of longevity. I can't believe how popular it still is.
surely the Star Wars merchandising taught everyone a lesson?
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@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
It's successful enough that someone now does Matamata - Auckland return flights
That isn't something that I could have foreseen.
That comment turns my brain inside out.
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@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
It's successful enough that someone now does Matamata - Auckland return flights
That isn't something that I could have foreseen.
That turns my brain inside out.
i reckon.
I mean, Matamata is a tip.
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@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Hooroo said in Notes From A Small Island:
It's successful enough that someone now does Matamata - Auckland return flights
That isn't something that I could have foreseen.
That turns my brain inside out.
i reckon.
I mean, Matamata is a tip.
But you get to land at the lovely Waharoa........
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@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@JC said in Notes From A Small Island:
... and hoses.
Actually, yes to that. Best way to get the wife to behave. A good hosing...
If Mrs Snowy ever casually glances at this thread you may have some serious explaining to do. And I'm not convinced that as explanations go, "Honestly Darling, it's just a running gag about me being a cannibal serial killer" will reassure her much.
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@JC said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@JC said in Notes From A Small Island:
... and hoses.
Actually, yes to that. Best way to get the wife to behave. A good hosing...
If Mrs Snowy ever casually glances at this thread you may have some serious explaining to do. And I'm not convinced that as explanations go, "Honestly Darling, it's just a running gag about me being a cannibal serial killer" will reassure her much.
She would actually get it as her favourite TB channel is CI. She is obsessed with serial killers and murders. If you believe the hype maybe that is why she married one...
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@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@JC said in Notes From A Small Island:
@Snowy said in Notes From A Small Island:
@JC said in Notes From A Small Island:
... and hoses.
Actually, yes to that. Best way to get the wife to behave. A good hosing...
If Mrs Snowy ever casually glances at this thread you may have some serious explaining to do. And I'm not convinced that as explanations go, "Honestly Darling, it's just a running gag about me being a cannibal serial killer" will reassure her much.
She would actually get it as her favourite TB channel is CI. She is obsessed with serial killers and murders. If you believe the hype maybe that is why she married one...
maybe she is one as well, and you two are going to be a Netflix smash hit in 7 years
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@mariner4life said in Notes From A Small Island:
maybe she is one as well, and you two are going to be a Netflix smash hit in 7 years
Other couples have managed it. I'll just go and have word with her.
Will let you know, well actually I won't.
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@raznomore said in Notes From A Small Island:
@MajorRage said in Notes From A Small Island:
Craft Beer. Why do Kiwi's think they are the global leading knowledge on craft beer? I love Steinlager Pure as it's a taste of home for me and thought their light option is really good. So why does everybody (friends, waiters, people on next table) think they have right to try and push me down the Pinhead APAIPARadler bullshit. I live in England for fucks sake, you think Id on't know what I like when it comes to Beer???
How on earth are they supposed to promote homegrown then? This is kind of exactly what we want as NZers isn't it? Pushing what is local and broadening our reach globally?
I don’t follow your comment. Steinlager is a NZ beer?
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@MajorRage said in Notes From A Small Island:
@raznomore said in Notes From A Small Island:
@MajorRage said in Notes From A Small Island:
Craft Beer. Why do Kiwi's think they are the global leading knowledge on craft beer? I love Steinlager Pure as it's a taste of home for me and thought their light option is really good. So why does everybody (friends, waiters, people on next table) think they have right to try and push me down the Pinhead APAIPARadler bullshit. I live in England for fucks sake, you think Id on't know what I like when it comes to Beer???
How on earth are they supposed to promote homegrown then? This is kind of exactly what we want as NZers isn't it? Pushing what is local and broadening our reach globally?
I don’t follow your comment. Steinlager is a NZ beer?
read the beer thread, he's one of those beer piston wristed gibbons
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@dogmeat said in Notes From A Small Island:
re the friendliness of Aucklanders, I cycled round the Waitemata on Saturday. I decided to test this .
I gave everyone oncoming the chance to greet me and if they didn't initiate I would say gidday. About 50% said hi before I did. Of the remainder the majority replied, with, I would say, less than 10% not responding. Although some seemed a bit surprised to be greeted. Some (older males mainly), would just do the Kiwi raised eyebrow greeting with a nod.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly people were until right at the end when two old poms had a go at me for riding on the (shared) path. I don't believe they would have called me a friendly Aucklander based on my reply (get a life you stupid old fluffybunnies). Steep hill end of a 60km ride not the time to prod me.
As an aside shitloads of people out running and riding on a blustery day. Must be all the New Years Resolutions
Maybe it’s me? Although friendly runs in other places would suggest not. Likely a combination of crap day and the area I was in which is peak Auckland snob.
Glad to hear it’s maybe the exception, not the rule. I don’t like Auckland, but I can still see its a great place to live. People should be happier!
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@Mick-Gold-Coast-QLD I might be familiar with some of those themes living in the UK!!!