Queenstown Convention Bureau (QCB) has reported a big spike in business event enquiries following the New Zealand Government’s recent announcement welcoming vaccinated Australians back to the country quarantine-free, after nearly two years of border closures and restrictions.
At last month’s Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), QCB revelled in showcasing the South Island town’s new venues, attractions, accommodations and activities to more than 60 buyers, which QCB business development manager – Australia and North America, Jana Kingston said generated almost 20 new leads.
“The timing of the announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern could not have been better for QCB; it injected a great level of excitement which immediately generated increased interest in our region and business event booking enquiries,” Kingston said.
“The announcement was the crucial piece of information needed to give event planners the confidence and certainty they can once again put Queenstown back on their list.
“To say we are excited to welcome Australian business events and delegates back to Queenstown is an understatement. We have spent two years preparing for this day, we have used our downtime wisely and we are ready to show why Queenstown is still one of the world’s top business event destinations.”
The surge in interest and return of business events to Queenstown will be well catered to thanks to the significant investment into the region’s infrastructure, facilities, accommodation and services over the past two years.
New activities such as Oxbow and iFly are now available, new restaurants and bars have opened, and airlines have confirmed they will increase flights between Australia and Queenstown. Accommodation capacity has increased by 38 percent since June 2018 thanks to a number of new openings including new luxury boutique hotel The Carlin, located in the heart of the city.
“The fact our opening is timed with the re-opening of NZ’s borders is serendipitous, but we are very grateful for this seemingly perfect timing. We are already getting bookings from New Zealanders and from overseas,” The Carlin developer and chief executive officer Kevin Carlin said.
“After a 30-year association with Queenstown, I know it is one of the most amazing places on the planet and I remain confident in the future of high-value tourism in New Zealand. I’m immensely proud that The Carlin Boutique Hotel and its associated services will ensure Queenstown can deliver a visitor experience of the very highest standard of sophistication.”
