Bali, guaranteed 100% free from Hobbits.
Looks like Hobbit fatigue and cashing-in on a captive market has finally caught up with the land where fantasy has officially become reality (ed. maybe that should be fantasy prices have become reality?)
If you’re looking for a holiday that won’t break the bank this year, then plan an Eat, Pray, Love escape to Bali, but avoid high prices and Hobbits in New Zealand.
The latest holiday money report from the Post Office reveals that the Indonesian island is the best destination when it comes to value for money, with Portugal’s Algarve taking second place, to be crowned the cheapest holiday spot in Europe…
The PO’s report showed that Auckland, New Zealand was the most expensive holiday destination.
The ‘basket’ of holiday items costs as little as £31.48 in Bali, but soars to a budget-busting £115.06 in Auckland, New Zealand – the most expensive destination surveyed.
After Bali, the Portuguese Algarve (£35 for the items) and Prague in the Czech Republic (£37) were the cheapest locations followed by Gambia (£38), Bulgaria (£38) and Spain’s Costa del Sol (£39)...” more here
The top 10 most expensive destinations for 2014 (Daily Mail table)
Given the high prices that New Zealand is charging it is somewhat surprising that it aligns itself so closely with the budget tourism markets the Hobbit films attract. Even to the point of painting its state-owned airliners to look like Tolkien characters.
Looks like people are paying champagne prices for alcohol-free beer?
Ironically, a few months ago tourism minister and PM John Key had the audacity to complain that New Zealand was getting poor, low quality tourists
Maybe if he stopped primping the country to Hollywood movie companies he’d get them.
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E2NZ.org 
NZ didn’t used to be expensive, but it is now. I came here 15 years ago on holiday from the UK. At that time NZ was fantastic, great food, service, facilities. Unfortunately Kiwi’s don’t like investing their money back into their business’s and they are now out of touch, with poor service and that unwavering attitude that this is the best place place in the world. Kiwi’s are indoctrinated at birth and spend their lives believing that their homeland is a world beater. I do love NZ, but being expensive and average won’t work in the long term. People are more well traveled these days and tourists are not stupid. I’m sorry, but £4.75 for a beer is taking the micky these days !!
Only difference is – Bali does not have loose women by the thousands like they have in NZ.
Here is the parasitic Kiwi “businesspeople” trying to adapt the law to fleece the tourists. http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/9611187/Undercut-by-free-holidays
Bilko Baggins: “Thieving hobbits demand The Precious – richer tourists!”