Summer in Queenstown is an exciting time of year to welcome our domestic and international visitors. There’s great energy around town, spectacular warm weather, and long daylight hours that enable clients to fully explore the Home of Adventure. 

Some of you may have seen our announcement last month that the Queenstown Lakes region’s tourism industry has committed to a bold ambition of being carbon zero by 2030. This announcement follows wide-ranging feedback and support from our local community and industry - with many Queenstown operators already on their own regenerative tourism journey. We look forward to sharing more about our journey to carbon zero with you over the coming months.

Warm regards,
Sarah, Jana, Tracy, Sophie & Kiran

Queenstown Update

Queenstown Lakes region’s tourism industry has committed to a bold ambition of being carbon zero by 2030. 

This is a goal that’s been set following wide-ranging feedback and support received from the local community and our industry. The exciting part is that through this process we have discovered that a lot of our operators are already well on the journey. We have now started to scope how we can achieve this ambitious goal together.

The process of decarbonisation is under intense global scrutiny and we hope that by putting our hand up as wanting to be the place that leads the world in this – we will be part of the solution by being a willing proving ground.

We look forward to sharing our journey to carbon zero with you as we count down the 2,584 days to 2030!

To read more about our mission, please click here.

Nine Month Forward Outlook

We are pleased to present you with the latest Nine Month Forward Outlook from December 2022 - August 2023 which indicates the current forward looking accommodation levels in Queenstown. 

Business Events are looking strong for 2023. If you are considering Queenstown as your host destination of your upcoming conference or incentive, we would advise to book restaurants, transport and activities ahead of time to avoid possible disappointment. Please allow Queenstown businesses time to plan and be ready for your groups arrival. Queenstown businesses cannot wait to welcome you, but staffing remains an issue across the hospitality sector as business work to recover from the pandemic. 

To view the Nine-Month Forward Outlook, please click here or on the image above.

Travel and Aviation Update

  • The NZ Travel Declaration was removed on 20 October, which is a great step for the tourism industry. The COVID-19 Protection Framework was also removed in New Zealand on 12 September. Travellers are also not required to be vaccinated or to test for COVID-19 upon arrival in New Zealand.
  • Air New Zealand has been named Best Airline in the South Pacific at the APEX Awards.
  • Air New Zealand has released their 2022 Sustainability Report, with a letter from Chair Dame Therese Walsh and CEO Greg Foran which said travel was bouncing back much quicker than anticipated. They have announced Mission Next Generation Aircraft – an accelerator programme to progress ambitious goals to fly its first commercial demonstrator flight from 2026 and begin replacing its Q300 domestic fleet with a more sustainable aircraft – likely green hydrogen or battery hybrid systems – from 2030.
  • The World Economic Forum's Global Future Council has released "Ten Principles for Sustainable Destinations: Charting a new path forward for travel and tourism"
  • Emirates announced its non-stop A380 service between Dubai and Auckland from December.
  • Competition has grown on the Auckland to USA routes with American Airlines and United Airlines reentering the market. American Airlines is returning with their Dallas/Fort Worth service while United Airlines operates to and from San Francisco.
  • Air New Zealand has started using Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first 1.2 million litres of jet fuel being imported was the equivalent of about 400 return flights between Auckland and Wellington.
  • Air New Zealand has resumed its nonstop service between Auckland and Chicago, bringing the airline back to all 29 international pre-COVID destinations. They are now servicing Vancouver daily and are also now flying three times a week to New York City. The seasonal Air New Zealand service to Bali will begin in March next year.
  • Direct flights with Qantas between Auckland and New York City will commence in June 2023.

Accommodation Update

Plans have been released for a new 27-room lakeside boutique hotel in Jacks Point. Hotel Tewa, will include a 'hidden' onsen-like pool, spa and wellness centre as well as a bar, restaurant and common area. To date, the only building near Lake Tewa is Jack's Point's Clubhouse Restaurant.

Venues Update

Skyline Queenstown will be closed from April 23 until July 2023 to install the new 10-seat Gondola. From July next year there will be a temporary ticketing building while the bottom terminal and carpark are under construction until December 2023.

Kinross Winery & Cellar Door has opened its new cellar door, the perfect venue for VIP Central Otago Wine experiences. The venue can hold up to 120 guests for 'Cork & Fork' immersive wine tasting events. The venue also offers private rooms with private entries for groups of up to 15 or 30 guests for VIP wine experiences.

Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan has announced its new name and look of Mora Wine and Artisan Kitchen following the recent sale of the Akarua brand.

Hyde Liquor and Social has recently opened in Arrowtown and is one of Arrowtown’s newest venues that is brought to you by the people behind The Bunker. Hyde Liquor and Social offers local & international wines, signature cocktails and DJs.

Odd Saint logo

Odd Saint, brought to you by the team behind Margo's, Little Mez & Little Blackwood is a new spot opening in town. They plan to open on 15 December 2022 on Earl Street in the centre of town.

O'Connells Mall building

O'Connells Mall has recently reopened. O’Connells blends the luxury offerings of retail tenant DFS Group’s T Galleria which showcases over 120 brands. O'Connells Mall also includes an EATSPACE, with locally-focused food and beverage offering.

In the heart of Queenstown, T Galleria by DFS is a sustainable modern space for gatherings, reflecting the character of the town and embracing its people. The stunning two level store boasts a unique open space to explore local and international brands. The building includes a modern lounge space to host up to 150 guests as well as a wine tasting corner which can accommodate up to 20 guests. 

Queenstown Marina Render

The $20 million Queenstown Marina, which includes 17 floating buildings and 15 private and commercial berths currently available to lease, has officially opened as plans are announced for Stage Two. Construction of Stage Two is due to start mid next year due to start. It will add approximately 100 additional berths to the marina and will also provide electric charging for boats and vehicles. 

Activities Update

‘Black is the new orange. RealNZ have given their jet boats, suitable for groups up to 70 guests, a new lease of life, stripping back colour to reflect the raw and real environment around us. These fresh illustrations are designed to get clients even closer to nature. 

The Helicopter Line is offering charter flights to Milford Sound with lunch at the Fiordland Lodge. On the spectacular flight to Milford Sound, clients get to enjoy incredible views over Lake Whakatipu, Mt Earnslaw and the National Parks. After a landing on a remote West Coast beach, a diver will showcase a crayfish fishing experience before you depart for lunch at the Fiordland Lodge.

Millbrook Resort is investing $1M into driving range, doubling the available grass hitting area and extending its artificial all-weather hitting area to cater for the lead-up to the 2023 NZ Open.  A temporary range is being set up until work is completed early next year. 

Southern Discoveries is bringing back Queenstown’s Dinner Cruise. The two-hour cruise on Lake Whakatipu includes a delicious ‘trust the chef’ three course meal on the Spirit of Queenstown for groups for up to 80 guests. Alternatively there is a walk and fork option for up to 130 guests. 

AJ Hackett Bungy NZ in partnership with Paul Nicholson is introducing a new Motivational Workshop ‘Adventure- Metaphor For Life’ for corporate groups. The session includes keynote speeches on themes of team work, leadership, resilience and self-belief to empower and inspire every delegate to fulfil their potential. The second part of the workshop is a potential bungy jump. The workshop includes exclusive venue access, private return transport & light breakfast options.

Industry Update

Queenstown Convention Bureau in partnership with Air New Zealand is inviting corporate clients to express interest in joining us on an exciting four day showcase of Queenstown as the ultimate conference & incentive destination from 19 - 22 March 2023. For more information, please click here.

Save the date. Queenstown Convention Bureau are hosting an event planners networking function in Central Auckland on Wednesday, 19th April, 2023. This will be your opportunity to meet with a collection of Queenstown C&I suppliers and be updated on why Queenstown is the ultimate business events destination. More details and invitation to RSVP will come in the new year.

Awards and Accolades

Key Dates & Events

For more events, please click here.

Your Queenstown Convention Bureau Team

Sarah McDonald
BD Manager & Marketing Manager
+64 27 448 8030
sarahm@queenstownNZ.nz
 Sarah McDonald
Jana Kingston
BD Manager- Australia & North America
+61 422 299 177
janak@queenstownNZ.nz
 Jana Kingston
Tracy Cui
BD Manager, Asia
+64 21 246 1828
tracyc@queenstownNZ.nz
 Tracy Cui
Sophie Koehler
BD Executive
+64 27 2293 5445
sophiek@queenstownNZ.nz
 Sophie Koehler
Kiran Nambiar
BD Director
+64 27 611 3188
kirann@queenstownNZ.nz
 Kiran Nambiar