Royal Air Force Museum London

The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly known as the RAF Museum, is a museum located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, dedicated to the history of aviation and the British Royal Air Force. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and a registered charity.[1] A second collection of exhibits is housed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, 5 miles north west of Wolverhampton.

The museum was officially opened at the Colindale (then part of Hendon) London site on 15 November 1972 by Her Majesty The Queen. The hangars housed just 36 aircraft at opening. Over the years, the collection increased and aircraft not on display at Hendon stored or displayed by smaller local RAF station museums. On 1 May 1976, the Cosford Aerospace Museum was opened at RAF Cosford, one of the RAF stations which had been used to store the museum's collection of aircraft. Recently opened is the National Cold War Exhibition, adding to the museum's already impressive collection, housing examples of all three of the V bombers and other Cold War aircraft, many of which are hung from the Hangar roof.

The first Director of the Museum was Dr John Tanner who retired in 1987. In 1988 Dr Michael A Fopp (who had previously directed the London Transport Museum) was appointed and is currently Director General of all three sites covered by the Museum. Retired RAF Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye, took over as Director General on 9 June 2010.[2]

In 1980, the Cosford site agreed to house the British Airways Museum collection, which has now been removed after British Airways withdrew funding.

The Royal Air Force Museum London comprises five exhibition halls:

    Milestones of Flight
    The Bomber Hall
    Historic Hangars
    The Battle of Britain Hall
    The Grahame-White Factory

As of 2010, it has over 100 aircraft. These aircraft include one of only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world and the Avro Lancaster S-Sugar, which flew 137 sorties. It also includes the only complete Hawker Typhoon and the only Boulton Paul Defiant in the world.

Recently added to the museum is a B-24 Liberator, which was moved to Hendon from Cosford. The aircraft was originally presented to the Museum by the Indian Air Force. In exchange, a Vickers Valiant was sent to Cosford to take part in the new Cold War exhibition. Most recently in July 2009, the Royal Air Force Museum took delivery of a FE2b World War I bomber, which had been in production for the museum for over 18 years. It was unveiled to the public on 1 July 2009 and became one of the few examples of this aircraft in the world.

There is a large car park at the site, and reasonable public transport links, with Colindale tube station around a 10 minute walk away.

In April 2009, work began on The Battle of Britain Hall to improve lighting conditions and provide full re-cladding to the exterior of the building. This new form of energy-saving lighting can change colour and light intensity whilst still being cheaper to run and as it is kinder to the exhibits, because it does not give out any UV light, light intensity can be increased between each "Our Finest Hour" showing. The hall is also set to benefit from a new glass fascia overlooking the Sunderland aircraft making it viewable from outside and also providing natural daylight throughout the Sunderland Hall, a section within the Battle of Britain building. Works were completed in August 2009.

Milestones of Flight
The Sopwith Camel in the 'Milestones of Flight' hall


The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly known as the RAF Museum, is a museum located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, dedicated to the history of aviation and the British Royal Air Force. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and a registered charity.[1] A second collection of exhibits is housed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, 5 miles north west of Wolverhampton.

The museum was officially opened at the Colindale (then part of Hendon) London site on 15 November 1972 by Her Majesty The Queen. The hangars housed just 36 aircraft at opening. Over the years, the collection increased and aircraft not on display at Hendon stored or displayed by smaller local RAF station museums. On 1 May 1976, the Cosford Aerospace Museum was opened at RAF Cosford, one of the RAF stations which had been used to store the museum's collection of aircraft. Recently opened is the National Cold War Exhibition, adding to the museum's already impressive collection, housing examples of all three of the V bombers and other Cold War aircraft, many of which are hung from the Hangar roof.

The first Director of the Museum was Dr John Tanner who retired in 1987. In 1988 Dr Michael A Fopp (who had previously directed the London Transport Museum) was appointed and is currently Director General of all three sites covered by the Museum. Retired RAF Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye, took over as Director General on 9 June 2010.[2]

In 1980, the Cosford site agreed to house the British Airways Museum collection, which has now been removed after British Airways withdrew funding.

The Royal Air Force Museum London comprises five exhibition halls:

    Milestones of Flight
    The Bomber Hall
    Historic Hangars
    The Battle of Britain Hall
    The Grahame-White Factory

As of 2010, it has over 100 aircraft. These aircraft include one of only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world and the Avro Lancaster S-Sugar, which flew 137 sorties. It also includes the only complete Hawker Typhoon and the only Boulton Paul Defiant in the world.

Recently added to the museum is a B-24 Liberator, which was moved to Hendon from Cosford. The aircraft was originally presented to the Museum by the Indian Air Force. In exchange, a Vickers Valiant was sent to Cosford to take part in the new Cold War exhibition. Most recently in July 2009, the Royal Air Force Museum took delivery of a FE2b World War I bomber, which had been in production for the museum for over 18 years. It was unveiled to the public on 1 July 2009 and became one of the few examples of this aircraft in the world.

There is a large car park at the site, and reasonable public transport links, with Colindale tube station around a 10 minute walk away.

In April 2009, work began on The Battle of Britain Hall to improve lighting conditions and provide full re-cladding to the exterior of the building. This new form of energy-saving lighting can change colour and light intensity whilst still being cheaper to run and as it is kinder to the exhibits, because it does not give out any UV light, light intensity can be increased between each "Our Finest Hour" showing. The hall is also set to benefit from a new glass fascia overlooking the Sunderland aircraft making it viewable from outside and also providing natural daylight throughout the Sunderland Hall, a section within the Battle of Britain building. Works were completed in August 2009.

Milestones of Flight
The Sopwith Camel in the 'Milestones of Flight' hall

    BAe Harrier GR3
    Bleriot XI
    de Havilland DH.60 Moth
    de Havilland Mosquito B35
    Eurofighter Typhoon DA2
    Fokker DVII
    Gloster F9/40 Meteor
    Hawker Hart II
    Hawker Tempest V
    Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
    North American P-51D Mustang
    Percival Mew Gull
    Sikorsky R-4
    Sopwith Camel

    BAe Harrier GR3
    Bleriot XI
    de Havilland DH.60 Moth
    de Havilland Mosquito B35
    Eurofighter Typhoon DA2
    Fokker DVII
    Gloster F9/40 Meteor
    Hawker Hart II
    Hawker Tempest V
    Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
    North American P-51D Mustang
    Percival Mew Gull
    Sikorsky R-4
    Sopwith Camel

Royal Air Force Museum London

The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly known as the RAF Museum, is a museum located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, dedicated to the history of aviation and the British Royal Air Force. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and a registered charity.[1] A second collection of exhibits is housed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, 5 miles north west of Wolverhampton.

The museum was officially opened at the Colindale (then part of Hendon) London site on 15 November 1972 by Her Majesty The Queen. The hangars housed just 36 aircraft at opening. Over the years, the collection increased and aircraft not on display at Hendon stored or displayed by smaller local RAF station museums. On 1 May 1976, the Cosford Aerospace Museum was opened at RAF Cosford, one of the RAF stations which had been used to store the museum's collection of aircraft. Recently opened is the National Cold War Exhibition, adding to the museum's already impressive collection, housing examples of all three of the V bombers and other Cold War aircraft, many of which are hung from the Hangar roof.

The first Director of the Museum was Dr John Tanner who retired in 1987. In 1988 Dr Michael A Fopp (who had previously directed the London Transport Museum) was appointed and is currently Director General of all three sites covered by the Museum. Retired RAF Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye, took over as Director General on 9 June 2010.[2]

In 1980, the Cosford site agreed to house the British Airways Museum collection, which has now been removed after British Airways withdrew funding.

The Royal Air Force Museum London comprises five exhibition halls:

    Milestones of Flight
    The Bomber Hall
    Historic Hangars
    The Battle of Britain Hall
    The Grahame-White Factory

As of 2010, it has over 100 aircraft. These aircraft include one of only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world and the Avro Lancaster S-Sugar, which flew 137 sorties. It also includes the only complete Hawker Typhoon and the only Boulton Paul Defiant in the world.

Recently added to the museum is a B-24 Liberator, which was moved to Hendon from Cosford. The aircraft was originally presented to the Museum by the Indian Air Force. In exchange, a Vickers Valiant was sent to Cosford to take part in the new Cold War exhibition. Most recently in July 2009, the Royal Air Force Museum took delivery of a FE2b World War I bomber, which had been in production for the museum for over 18 years. It was unveiled to the public on 1 July 2009 and became one of the few examples of this aircraft in the world.

There is a large car park at the site, and reasonable public transport links, with Colindale tube station around a 10 minute walk away.

In April 2009, work began on The Battle of Britain Hall to improve lighting conditions and provide full re-cladding to the exterior of the building. This new form of energy-saving lighting can change colour and light intensity whilst still being cheaper to run and as it is kinder to the exhibits, because it does not give out any UV light, light intensity can be increased between each "Our Finest Hour" showing. The hall is also set to benefit from a new glass fascia overlooking the Sunderland aircraft making it viewable from outside and also providing natural daylight throughout the Sunderland Hall, a section within the Battle of Britain building. Works were completed in August 2009.

Milestones of Flight
The Sopwith Camel in the 'Milestones of Flight' hall


The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly known as the RAF Museum, is a museum located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, dedicated to the history of aviation and the British Royal Air Force. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and a registered charity.[1] A second collection of exhibits is housed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, 5 miles north west of Wolverhampton.

The museum was officially opened at the Colindale (then part of Hendon) London site on 15 November 1972 by Her Majesty The Queen. The hangars housed just 36 aircraft at opening. Over the years, the collection increased and aircraft not on display at Hendon stored or displayed by smaller local RAF station museums. On 1 May 1976, the Cosford Aerospace Museum was opened at RAF Cosford, one of the RAF stations which had been used to store the museum's collection of aircraft. Recently opened is the National Cold War Exhibition, adding to the museum's already impressive collection, housing examples of all three of the V bombers and other Cold War aircraft, many of which are hung from the Hangar roof.

The first Director of the Museum was Dr John Tanner who retired in 1987. In 1988 Dr Michael A Fopp (who had previously directed the London Transport Museum) was appointed and is currently Director General of all three sites covered by the Museum. Retired RAF Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye, took over as Director General on 9 June 2010.[2]

In 1980, the Cosford site agreed to house the British Airways Museum collection, which has now been removed after British Airways withdrew funding.

The Royal Air Force Museum London comprises five exhibition halls:

    Milestones of Flight
    The Bomber Hall
    Historic Hangars
    The Battle of Britain Hall
    The Grahame-White Factory

As of 2010, it has over 100 aircraft. These aircraft include one of only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world and the Avro Lancaster S-Sugar, which flew 137 sorties. It also includes the only complete Hawker Typhoon and the only Boulton Paul Defiant in the world.

Recently added to the museum is a B-24 Liberator, which was moved to Hendon from Cosford. The aircraft was originally presented to the Museum by the Indian Air Force. In exchange, a Vickers Valiant was sent to Cosford to take part in the new Cold War exhibition. Most recently in July 2009, the Royal Air Force Museum took delivery of a FE2b World War I bomber, which had been in production for the museum for over 18 years. It was unveiled to the public on 1 July 2009 and became one of the few examples of this aircraft in the world.

There is a large car park at the site, and reasonable public transport links, with Colindale tube station around a 10 minute walk away.

In April 2009, work began on The Battle of Britain Hall to improve lighting conditions and provide full re-cladding to the exterior of the building. This new form of energy-saving lighting can change colour and light intensity whilst still being cheaper to run and as it is kinder to the exhibits, because it does not give out any UV light, light intensity can be increased between each "Our Finest Hour" showing. The hall is also set to benefit from a new glass fascia overlooking the Sunderland aircraft making it viewable from outside and also providing natural daylight throughout the Sunderland Hall, a section within the Battle of Britain building. Works were completed in August 2009.

Milestones of Flight
The Sopwith Camel in the 'Milestones of Flight' hall

    BAe Harrier GR3
    Bleriot XI
    de Havilland DH.60 Moth
    de Havilland Mosquito B35
    Eurofighter Typhoon DA2
    Fokker DVII
    Gloster F9/40 Meteor
    Hawker Hart II
    Hawker Tempest V
    Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
    North American P-51D Mustang
    Percival Mew Gull
    Sikorsky R-4
    Sopwith Camel

    BAe Harrier GR3
    Bleriot XI
    de Havilland DH.60 Moth
    de Havilland Mosquito B35
    Eurofighter Typhoon DA2
    Fokker DVII
    Gloster F9/40 Meteor
    Hawker Hart II
    Hawker Tempest V
    Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
    North American P-51D Mustang
    Percival Mew Gull
    Sikorsky R-4
    Sopwith Camel

Introducing Culebra

An elusive lizard (not seen since 1974) hides in a unique mountain ‘boulder’ forest, a couple of abandoned US tanks lie rusting on a paradisiacal beach, a sign on a shop door in the ‘capital’ Dewey reads ‘Open some days, closed others.’ Welcome to Culebra – the ­island that time forgot; mainland Puerto Rico’s weird, wonderful and distinctly wacky smaller cousin that lies glistening like a bejeweled Eden to the east.

Long feted for its diamond dust beaches and world-class diving reefs, sleepy Culebra is probably more famous for what it hasn’t got than for what it actually possesses. There are no big hotels here, no golf courses, no casinos, no fast-food chains, no rush-hour traffic, no postmodern stress and no problemas, amigo. Situated 17 miles to the east of mainland Puerto Rico, but inhabiting an entirely different planet culturally speaking, the island’s peculiar brand of off-beat charm can sometimes take a bit of getting used to. Don’t expect open-armed cordiality here. Culebran friendliness is of the more backwards-coming-forwards variety. Home to rat-race dropouts, earnest idealists, solitude seekers, myriad eccentrics, and anyone else who can’t quite get their heads around the manic intricacies of modern life, the island is the ultimate ‘riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma.’ Among the traveling fraternity, it has long inspired a religiouslike devotion in some, and head-scratching bafflement in others. There’s but one binding thread – the place is jaw-droppingly beautiful.

Glasgow

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's West Central Lowlands.

Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become one of the largest seaports in Britain. Expanding from the medieval bishopric of Glasgow and the later establishment of the University of Glasgow in the 15th century, it became a major centre of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century the city also grew as one of Britain's main hubs of transatlantic trade with British North America and the British West Indies. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the population and economy of Glasgow and the surrounding region expanded exponentially to become one of the world's pre-eminent centres of heavy engineering; most notably in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry, which produced many innovative and famous vessels. Glasgow was known as the "Second City of the British Empire" for much of the Victorian era and Edwardian period.Today it is one of Europe's top ten financial centres and is home to many of Scotland's leading businesses.Glasgow is also ranked as the 57th most liveable city in the world.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Glasgow grew in population, eventually reaching a peak of 1,128,473 in 1939, and was the fourth-largest city in Europe, after London, Paris and Berlin. In the 1960s, comprehensive urban renewal projects resulting in large-scale relocation of people to new towns and peripheral suburbs, followed by successive boundary changes, have reduced the current population of the City of Glasgow council area to 592,000, with 1,199,629 people living in the Greater Glasgow urban area. The entire region surrounding the conurbation covers approximately 2.3 million people, 41% of Scotland's population. Glasgow will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games and is currently bidding to host the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics
The present site of Glasgow has been used since prehistoric times for settlement due to it being the furthest downstream fording point of the River Clyde, at the point of its confluence with the Molendinar Burn. After the Romans left Caledonia the settlement was part of the extensive Kingdom of Strathclyde, with its capital at Dumbarton 15 mi (24 km) downstream, which merged in the 9th century with other regions to create the united Kingdom of Scotland.The origins of Glasgow as an established city derive ultimately from its medieval position as Scotland's second largest bishopric. Glasgow increased in importance during the 10th and 11th centuries as the site of this bishopric, reorganised by King David I of Scotland and John, Bishop of Glasgow.

There had been an earlier religious site established by Saint Mungo in the 6th century. The bishopric became one of the largest and wealthiest in the Kingdom of Scotland, bringing wealth and status to the town. Between 1175 and 1178 this position was strengthened even further when Bishop Jocelin obtained for the episcopal settlement the status of Burgh from King William I of Scotland, allowing the settlement to expand with the benefits of trading monopolies and other legal guarantees. Sometime between 1189 and 1195 this status was supplemented by an annual fair, which survives to this day as the Glasgow Fair.

Glasgow grew over the following centuries, the first bridge over the River Clyde at Glasgow was recorded from around 1285, giving its name to the Briggait area of the city, forming the main North-South route over the river via Glasgow Cross. The founding of the University of Glasgow in 1451 and elevation of the bishopric to become the Archdiocese of Glasgow in 1492 served to increase the town's religious and educational status, and landed wealth. Its early trade was in agriculture, brewing and fishing, with cured salmon and herring being exported to Europe and the Mediterranean. Following the Reformation and with the encouragement of the Convention of Royal Burghs the 14 Incorporated Trade Crafts federated as the Trades House in 1605 to match the power and influence in the Town Council of the earlier Merchants Guilds who established their Merchants House in the same year. Glasgow was subsequently raised to the status of Royal Burgh in 1611. Glasgow's substantial fortunes came from international trade, manufacturing and invention starting in the 17th century with sugar, followed by tobacco, and then cotton and linen.

Daniel Defoe visited the city in the early 18th century and famously opined in his book A tour thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain, that Glasgow was "the cleanest and beautifullest, and best built city in Britain, London excepted." At that time, the city's population numbered approximately 12,000, and was yet to undergo the massive expansionary changes to the city's economy and urban fabric, brought about by the influences of the Scottish Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution.

Venezuela Travel Tourism

Venezuela is a country in South America. Having a shoreline along the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, Venezuela borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east and Brazil to the south, and is situated on the major sea and air routes linking North and South America. Off the Venezuelan coast are the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Angel Falls (Churun Meru) in the Guiana Highlands is the world’s highest waterfall and one of Venezuela’s major tourist attractions.
Venezuela is home to the world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls and the second longest river in South America, the Orinoco. It also has the longest coastline to the Caribbean sea. Venezuela is the world’s fifth-largest oil exporter and also has vast untapped reserves of natural gas. Ecologically, Venezuela is considered among the 20 Megadiverse countries of the planet; more than 40% of its national territory is covered by protected areas.
History
Venezuela was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry, but in 1958 a democratic process was implemented. Since 1998 the country has been ruled by President Hugo Chavez.
Demonstrations and Political Activities
Ongoing social and political tensions throughout Venezuela frequently lead to demonstrations, roadblocks, and national strikes, causing traffic jams in the capital (especially in the historic centre of Plaza Bolivar, where most government institutions are located), in major centres throughout the country, and on main highways. Because of the unpredictable nature of these demonstrations, Canadians should avoid large gatherings and other public areas where disturbances or violent incidents could occur and should monitor local developments. You should not attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended. Curfews may also be in effect.
Foreigners should not participate in political discussions or activities (such as demonstrations) in public, or appear to take sides on any local issue related to the current political situation. This may result in problems with local authorities, including arrest or even deportation.

Oklahoma Winter Holidays Trip

Make holiday magic in Oklahoma! Gather your family and friends and come together for fun-filled holidays full of festive events in Oklahoma's cities and charming small towns. From Thanksgiving right through New Year's Day, you'll find celebrations to make your holidays bright.

Oklahoma's hometowns celebrate the season by lighting up the night with millions of sparkling lights and plenty of holiday cheer to share. Visit Kingfisher, Woodward, Muskogee, or Elk City to drive through dazzling Christmas light displays and light shows synchronized to your favorite holiday music. Experience one of the top 10 holiday light displays in the nation when you visit the Chickasha Festival of Light with millions of lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, hot chocolate and more to awaken your family's holiday spirit.

The whole family will be delighted when downtown Oklahoma City is transformed into a polar playground during the annual Downtown in December celebration. Lace up your skates and take a spin on the outdoor ice skating rink or summon your courage and zoom down the largest manmade slope in the nation on a snow tube. Enjoy free boat tours along the magically-lit Bricktown Canal as you discover plenty of Christmas lights, decorated trees and holiday activities or get your ticket and enjoy holiday festivities on an Oklahoma River Cruise.

Join the fun at one of Oklahoma's small town holiday festivals, Christmas parades or celebrations where Santa Claus may ride down Main Street on a horse-drawn wagon or glide along on a high-tech Segway. If a lakeside cabin is your idea of the perfect holiday getaway, you'll even find lighted boat parades welcoming the season on some of Oklahoma's lakes. Ring in the New Year with our huge celebrations like Oklahoma City's Opening Night celebration when downtown Oklahoma City is taken over by revelers, live entertainment, fireworks and family activities. Click on the Festivals & Events icon below to find a complete list of festivities.

Oklahoma  (Pawnee: Uukuhuúwa , Cayuga): Gahnawiyoˀgeh is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. Oklahoma is the 20th most extensive and the 28th most populous of the 50 United States. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people",and it is known informally by its nickname, The Sooner State. Formed by the combination of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory on November 16, 1907, Oklahoma was the 46th state to enter the union. Its residents are known as Oklahomans or, informally "Okies", and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.

A major producer of natural gas, oil, and agriculture, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. It has one of the fastest growing economies in the nation, ranking among the top states in per capita income growth and gross domestic product growth. Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as Oklahoma's primary economic anchors, with nearly 60 percent of Oklahomans living in their metropolitan statistical areas.

With small mountain ranges, prairie, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains and the U.S. Interior Highlands—a region especially prone to severe weather. In addition to having a prevalence of English, German, Scottish, Irish and Native American ancestry, more than 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma, the most of any state. It is located on a confluence of three major American cultural regions and historically served as a route for cattle drives, a destination for southern settlers, and a government-sanctioned territory for Native Americans. As part of the Bible Belt, widespread belief in evangelical Christianity makes it one of the most politically conservative states, though Oklahoma has more voters registered with the Democratic Party than with any other party.

New Zealand Tourism

Tourism New Zealand is the national institution tasked with promoting New Zealand as a tourism destination internationally. It is the trading name of the New Zealand Tourism Board, a Crown entity established under the New Zealand Tourism Board Act 1991. It is the marketing agency for New Zealand, while the New Zealand Ministry of Tourism is the government department tasked with policy and research.

New Zealand was the first country to dedicate a government department to tourism, when in 1901, the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts came into being. Through most of the 20th century, its role was tactical - it ran hotels and put together itineraries around New Zealand as well as advertising.After reorganisation and the selling off of assets in the late 1980s, the organisation, as Tourism New Zealand, now focuses on marketing of New Zealand.

Its main marketing tool is the award-winning "100% Pure New Zealand" campaign, which had its ten year anniversary in 2009. The campaign uses advertising, events, the internet and work with international trade and media to get the 100% Pure NZ message across to potential visitors.

To achieve the best efficiency, from limited resources, the campaign is mainly directed to travellers who will enjoy the New Zealand experience the most, who are most likely to "enjoy the authenticity of the New Zealand experience" and are willing to pay for quality experiences.

Recent activities (2007) have included a NZ$7 million campaign in China, concentrating on Shanghai, cooperating to produce a New Zealand tourism layer for Google Earth, the first country to receive such a treatment and placing a Giant Rugby Ball venue in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The Rugby Ball subsequently was sited in London and visited by the Queen.

Tourism New Zealand also took over YouTube homepage in 2007, to launch the latest iteration of its 100% Pure New Zealand campaign, featuring the theme of New Zealand being the 'Youngest Country' in the world - the last major habitable landmass to be discovered