Kia ora,

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

We have recently welcomed Yangzi Zang, Account Manager Asia and Cara Anderson, Trade Marketing Executive to Destination Queenstown, both offering great support to QCB as part of their roles.

The end of the year has been full of connection at IMEX America in Las Vegas, the inaugural Business Events Expo in Auckland, our Destination Queenstown Australia Roadshow and PCOA Conference is coming up in Adelaide next week. The QCB team is then looking forward to recharging, spending time with loved ones and enjoying the long summer Queenstown days before we dive into 2024.

Wishing you, your teams and whanau (family) a happy festive season and we look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

Kind regards,
Sarah, Jess, Yangzi and Luisa

Queenstown Update

Last month, Destination Queenstown, accompanied by 25 Queenstown C&I suppliers, hosted the Destination Queenstown Australia Roadshow 2023 events in Melbourne and Sydney. Thanks to all our Australian contacts who joined us across two networking evenings – it was great to connect with so many of you and we look forward to hosting similar events in the new year.

Destination Queenstown sponsored the ‘Excellence in Sustainable and Regenerative Business Practice’ category of the Queenstown Business Awards. We are pleased to announce The Hilton were the well-deserved winners. More on Hilton's journey below.

The latest Forward Outlook indicates current levels of forward-looking accommodation occupancy in Queenstown until the end of June 2024. This is a great resource to use when selecting the dates for your next business event, as it highlights the most preferable time for event execution.

Travel & Aviation Update

Here is our latest Airline Connectivity resource for December 2023.

• China Eastern Airlines will add a new destination, Hangzhou, to its New Zealand service as of 5 November, with two direct flights weekly on Thursdays and Sundays to Auckland.
• Delta Air Lines launched a new daily service on 30 October between Los Angeles and Auckland for the summer season.
• Air New Zealand's first non-stop flight to New York arrived at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport on 18 September. It operates three times a week.
• Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines is broadening its Southwest Pacific presence by introducing a second non-stop route to Auckland.
• By the end of December, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines will all be operating to Auckland Airport (AKL) in New Zealand from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which AKL points to as evidence of robust demand to North America.
• Hawaiian Airlines has reduced its year-round New Zealand route to seasonal service, between November to April.
• Qantas has resumed flights between Sydney (SYD) and New York JFK, after a hiatus of more than three years, using Auckland (AKL) as a new stopover point instead of LAX.

Regenerative Queenstown Initiatives

There are several ways your business event or incentive group can champion Love Queenstown and support local climate, conservation, and biodiversity projects. Visit the new Love Queenstown website or contact Ash Bickley, Community Fund Coordinator, for more information.

The Hilton has made a generous donation of $420,000 to the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust. This will be used to fund the planting of 22,000 native trees on Slope Hill, near Lake Hayes. The funds will also be used for site preparation, fencing, rabbit control, and labour costs.

Nomad Safaris is investing in a fully electric Yutong 25-seater bus, which is estimated to reduce their annual carbon emissions by 17,702 kilos. Said to be a 'first' for NZ’s adventure tourism, they are paving the way to have a major impact on C&I groups' emissions in the future.

With Walter Peak's Eco Experience starting 20 December, your next incentive group can plant a native tree and enjoy a locally sourced ploughman's platter, before cruising back across Lake Whakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw. A great option when looking to include a CSR programme element.

Wilding & Co's Waste to Wilderness project initiative to remove tourism hotel food waste from landfill, has 13 hotels now on board. By combining the food with locally distilled wilding, it makes a hot compost for distribution to local community garden and reforestation projects. 

Accommodation Update

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has taken over the management of Robertson Lodges' three premium properties. This includes the Queenstown luxury offering of Matakauri Lodge. With 12 suites and a four suite cottage, it is a stunning lakeside option for small high-end groups.

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa has recently undergone an exciting $2.6m partial refurbishment, now giving the hotel a total of 84 rooms, and introducing the lavish Opera Suite. Phase One revitalised over 20% of the hotel. The next wave of enhancements is set to debut in mid-2024.

Venues Update

Ayrburn, is Queenstown's latest Business Events offering opening 9 December 2023. With eight hospitality venues on offer by the end of 2025, Ayrburn will be able to host groups from 15 to 200 within one venue and across the venue could accommodate over 500 at one time.

Activities Update

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters' new luxurious twin engine H145 can accommodate up to nine passengers. It features a spacious cabin, with leather interior and viewing windows specifically designed for sightseeing flights. Perfect for your next VIP incentive group.

The Helicopter Line's new West Coast Fish & Chips trip includes a flight to Jackson Bay with an alpine landing. Then your incentive group can divulge in crayfish and blue cod on a secluded beach on the West Coast before returning over alpine landscapes back to Queenstown.

The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp is introducing Food over Fire. Described as 'dinner at our place' - guests can indulge in a surprise meal, slow cooked over fire, prepared specially for the group. Perfect for an incentive group looking to dine a little differently.

Industry Update

Business Events Industry Aotearoa's MEETINGS 2023 - New Zealand's largest trade show for the Business Events sector - has been awarded Toitū net carbon zero certification for their work during in Wellington. Read more here.

Altitude Tours and BLACK have announced the appointment of Graham Kinlan as group General Manager. Graham brings experience from AJ Hackett New Zealand, Haka Tours and EDA Education Groups Worldwide.

Paula Buchanan has joined New Zealand’s most progressive sustainable accommodation, The Headwaters Eco Lodge, as Business Development Manager. With 28 years of experience in the conference and incentive, and tourism industries, Paula has held a wide range of positions in sales, operations, finance and management roles, most recently as Business Development Manager at Highlands Motorsport Park.

RealNZ appoints new CEO Dave Beech, known for his accomplishments in major sports events such as FIFA Women's Word Cup and Queenstown Marathon. He will commence on 29 January 2024.

Former international cricketer and experienced CEO, Martin Snedden CNZM is the new Independent Chair of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA). 

Awards and Accolades

• Once again Arrowtown won the 'Most Beautiful Small Town' and 'Best Street' categories of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful annual awards, after previously succeeding in this category in 2020. See the full list of finalists here.
• The Rees Hotel, Queenstown, has been recognised as New Zealand's Leading Hotel 2023 by the World Travel Awards.
• Hulbert House, Queenstown, has also been named in the World Travel Awards as New Zealand's Leading Lodge 2023. The second time the hotel has been recognised with this award.
• The Queenstown Business Awards 2023 saw many C&I suppliers win awards across the variety of categories. See full list of winners here.
• Altitude Tours won the NZME Visitor Experience Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2023, with founder Heidi Farren, also taking the Eudora+ Emerging Tourism Leader Award.
• Skyline Queenstown has taken the BDO Tourism Excellence Award (Large Business) at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2023.
• Southern Discoveries won the Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality category in Dunedin’s Grand Business South Awards.

Key Dates & Events

• 23 - 26 December: Christmas Weekend
• 27 December: Lake Hayes Triathlon
• 29 - 31 December: Rhythm & Alps
• 5 January: Bay Dreams
• 3 February: Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert
• 6 February: Waitangi Day
• 19 - 21 February: AIME 2024
• 29 Feb-3 Mar: New Zealand Open 
• 25 March: Otago Anniversary Day
• 29 March - 1 April: Easter holiday
• 25 April: Anzac Day

Discover more events in Queenstown with a complete guide to our best attractions.

Your Queenstown Convention Bureau Team