Morena America: Rotorua wins US show slot

Four Rotorua tourist attractions have been given a promotional opportunity that will expose them to up to 5.5 million people per day.

The Buried Village, Peppers on the Point Lake Rotorua, Te Puia and Volcanic Air Safaris have just found out they will be showcased on the hugely popular US TV show Good Morning America .

The four local operators are included in a New Zealand prize package as part of a competition run by the show.

Viewers voted New Zealand as the top destination for the winning family's dream holiday. It was one of four possible destinations up for grabs.

With help from New Zealand's Pan Pacific Travel, California-based Springboard Vacations handpicked the four Rotorua operators.

The competition sees a family visit Rotorua, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown any time in the next 12 months.

Publicity stemming from the competition is expected to be huge with a Good Morning America film crew following the family around New Zealand.

Volcanic Air Safaris' director Dorien Vroom said she was still letting the news sink in.

"This is absolutely fantastic. The fact that [Good Morning America] has an average audience of 5.5 million a day - that is huge."

Peppers on the Point manager David Smail said the promotion would gain great coverage for Rotorua and the rest of the country.

"Apparently New Zealand won by quite a lot of votes," he said. "It is really exciting and it will be even better exposure when the family actually comes. It's just great."

Pam McGrath, manager of the Buried Village, said they took a risk at TRENZ earlier in the year by meeting with Springboard Vacations.

"This is a really great opportunity for us."