‘Rings’ films draw visitors to New Zealand

Wellington, New Zealand — Ten percent of foreigners traveling to New Zealand are at least partly motivated by the chance to tour sites from “Lord of the Rings” films, according to tourism officials.

With the opening of the latest in the series, “The Return of the King,” and ever since the first movie appeared two years ago, thousands of tourists have sought out places where the movies were filmed — among New Zealand’s spectacular glaciers, volcanoes, fjords, forests and mountain peaks.

One newspaper recently pictured visitors huddled under a tree, wrapped in Hobbit cloaks as they re-enacted a famous scene from the first film.

What has become known as the “Frodo economy” — named after the series’ main Hobbit character — is bringing tens of millions of tourist dollars a year into this South Pacific nation.

A report for Wellington’s regional economic development agency said the capital alone is set to make $160 million from Middle Earth-related activities over the next 10 years.

Apple Core locates affordable NYC motels

New York — Many budget-minded families routinely stay in safe, clean, comfortable and inexpensive motels when they’re taking road trips.

But staying in a cheap motel in a big city can sometimes be a dicey proposition.

Now Apple Core Hotels is promising inexpensive yet decent accommodations in midtown Manhattan. The hotels are La Quinta Inn Manhattan (17 W. 32nd St.), Red Roof Inn Manhattan (6 W. 32nd St.), Comfort Inn Midtown (129 W. 46th St.), Super 8 Hotel Times Square (59 W. 46th St.) and Ramada Inn East Side (161 Lexington Ave., at 30th Street).

Rates begin at $89 a night, not including taxes. The rooms come with continental breakfast and children under 13 stay free. All five hotels offer rooms that accommodate up to four comfortably, and the Super 8 offers family suites with two separate rooms. The properties are within walking distance of many New York landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, the theater district, Times Square and Rockefeller Center.

Call (800) 567-7720 or visit www.applecorehotels.com.