Kia ora,

Of the four distinct seasons, autumn’s arrival in a blaze of reds and golds is the most dramatic, encouraging visitors to slow down, stay longer, and connect more deeply with Queenstown’s surroundings. From March to May the outstanding golden and red hues dominate the hills around the region and contrast strikingly with the deep blue of our lakes and rivers.

While autumn encourages a slower pace of traveller, our business events calendar in region comes alive between March and May. Our community is looking forward to welcoming delegates arriving to Queenstown from around the world and from a range of industries, in the coming months.

Queenstown Convention Bureau is also in full swing entering autumn. With high interest in the region at AIME, an influx of enquires for programmes to our region, and the appointment of Sarah McDonald (QCB Manager) on the SITE Australia New Zealand board, the profile of Queenstown and our destination's ambition for a regenerative visitor economy is gaining further attention as a world-class business events destination.

If you are interested in hearing more about how your event, or future events, could leave a positive impact in our community, our team would love to hear from you.

Kind regards,
Sarah, Jess, Yangzi and Luisa

Queenstown Update

The Queenstown Convention Bureau enjoyed connecting with event planners from across Asia and the Pacific at AIME 2024 last month in Melbourne. This year's show saw a strong contingent from team New Zealand (pictured below) and it was evident from everyone’s full appointment books that planners and their clients are excited about bringing their business events to New Zealand.

The Forward Outlook provides valuable insights into the accommodation occupancy levels in Queenstown until the end of August 2024. This resource is invaluable for planning your next business event, as it identifies the most favorable times for event execution.

Coming to Queenstown? We’d love to hear from you. If you have time around the programme or if you’re planning a site inspection in region please get in touch. We’d love to connect over coffee or support you in planning your trip. Contact Sarah McDonald or Jess Langelaan to arrange.

Travel & Aviation Update

Here is our latest Airline Connectivity resource for December 2023.

• Jetstar will add around 150,000 seats to its domestic and trans-Tasman routes with Auckland airport being the main hub for increased services in 2024. 
• Air New Zealand is set to launch the Skynest, offering economy class passengers a comfortable travel experience with bunk beds in the sky.
• Air New Zealand carried 15.9 million passengers on 169,835 flights in 2023, reflecting a notable increase from the previous year.
• Air New Zealand has been ranked as the safest airline in the world in 2023, narrowly surpassing Qantas by only 1.5 points.
• United Airlines has begun services between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Christchurch Airport (CHC) on 10 December 2023, establishing the only nonstop air connection between the U.S. and New Zealand’s South Island.

Regenerative Queenstown Initiatives

Join Love Queenstown, Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, and Mana Tāhuna this month, with their goal of planting more than 3,000 native trees. Contact Ash Bickley, Community Fund Coordinator, to explore planting day opportunities for your next Queenstown programme.

Queenstown’s Appellation Wine Tours, has introduced electric vehicles to its transport fleet, highlighting a commitment to long-term sustainability, a reduction of its carbon footprint and promotion of environmentally-conscious tourism. Read the article. 

Sudima Queenstown now offers a Locally Sourced Conference Menu. Delegates booking a full-day package, can enjoy catering menu options with produce sourced from the local area including Royalburn Farm, Nevis Gardens, Gibbston Valley and ice-cream from Wanaka.

Accommodation Update

MajorDomo present luxury villas across the Queenstown area, accommodating six to fourteen guests for the ultimate business retreat. New properties and high-end offerings have enabled them to tailor make small incentive event accommodation, a luxury experience in itself.

ROKI Collection Queenstown is an ultra-luxury, boutique hotel coming to the lakefront of downtown Queenstown. Ideal for VIP conference delegates or high-end incentive groups. The hotel will comprise of 15 units, opening April 2025.

Venues Update

Cargo Brew Hall is an exciting new event space opening mid 2024. It will not only be home to Cargo's new brewery but will also offer a function space for up to 220 people; ideal for your next day meeting or social event.

Activities Update

Altitude Tours introduces the Heli Wine Sampler Tour. Starting with a scenic flight over the Gibbston wine region, including a glass of bubbles on a mountaintop, before landing at the first winery. An incentive group can enjoy tastings at four of the region’s finest boutique cellar doors.

Real NZ introduces a new product, named the 'Queenstown Lake Cruise' aboard their modern catamaran, The Spirit of Queenstown. Ideal for groups wanting to discover mountains, forests, and hidden coves in a one and a half hour experience.

Alpine Luxury Tours has partnered exclusively with Mora Wines to offer an exclusive Heli Wine Tour in Central Otago. Ideal for incentive groups wanting to sample some of Central Otago’s finest wines; perched amongst the vines. Available for groups up to 60 guests.

Industry Update

Otago named among the world's most welcoming regions
Booking.com has released its 2024 Traveller Review Awards, with Otago placed in the top 10 most welcoming regions worldwide. Mat Woods, Destination Queenstown Chief Executive, says, "To be recognised in this list is a huge credit to the amazing people of Otago and our southern hospitality and shows how strong the visitor experience here in Otago is". Read the article.

BEIA have opened applications for the Meetings 2024 Hosted Buyer Programme for both Australian and New Zealand buyers. Meetings is an opportunity to connect with industry and discover more options when hosting a business event in New Zealand.

SITE Australia & New Zealand took out a trifecta of awards at the SITE Global international conference in Turkey last week. The chapter was award Excellence in Education, Excellence in Membership and Excellence in Special Event. As the global networks newest chapter, being awarded three out of six chapter awards is a high accomplishment. Next years conference will be held in Tulum, Mexico from 3 – 6 March.

Awards and Accolades

The HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence were held in Sydney at the end of last year with the following Queenstown hotels winning awards.

• The Sofitel Queenstown winning New Zealand best luxury hotel and also Australasians Hotel of the Year. 
• The Carlin Boutique Hotel winning the award for New Zealand Boutique Hotel in the property awards.
• The Holiday Inn Express & Suites winning the award for New Zealand's Best Midscale Hotel in the property awards. 

Key Dates & Events

• 21 - 22 Mar: Love Queenstown Tourism Planting Days
• 25 Mar: Otago Anniversary Day
• 29 Mar - 1 Apr: Easter Holiday
• 2 Apr: Southland Anniversary Day
• 25 Apr: Anzac Day
• 13 - 28 Apr: NZ School Holidays
• 25 - 28 Apr: Arrowtown Autumn Festival
• 15 Jun: Coronet Peak and The Remarkables Ski Area opening day

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

Your Queenstown Convention Bureau Team