From beginnings as a local promotion bureau to a global, regenerative-tourism brand, the evolution of Destination Queenstown’s logo traces the journey of a place and its people. Each design seeks to encapsulate Queenstown’s essence, and together, these evolutions offer a visual snapshot of the…
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Thanks to these daring, determined people, Queenstown became an adventure playground for visitors from around the globe. But it wasn’t always so. A Remote Mountain Region Before the ease of travel we now take for granted, getting to Queenstown was an challenging adventure in itself. For centuries…
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“It was the Queenstown locals who really supported me,” he recalls. “It’s just that teamwork and community that’s always been the magic here.” Six years later, when David became chief executive of Destination Queenstown, it was that same spirit ‘Team Queenstown’, that convinced him to stay for the…
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When Hilary Finnie left Destination Queenstown over 30 years ago, she was given a Tissot watch as a farewell gift. She’s worn it every day since - a much-loved reminder of an extraordinary first decade with the organisation. “It was so new, and everything was such an adventure,” Hilary recalls. She…
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But today, the invitation to visit carries a new layer. One shaped with care for this special place and the people who call it home. In 2023, Travel to a Thriving Future, the region’s Destination Management Plan, was launched. Developed in partnership between Destination Queenstown (DQ), Lake…
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What started as occasional partnership has grown into a strong collaboration that supports local businesses and creates a better experience for visitors. The change came as both towns faced similar challenges - busier peaks, the need to protect the environment, and changing visitor expectations…
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There was a time when Queenstown’s winters were quieter and more low-key. The town was smaller, the ski season started later, and life moved at a slower pace. But in 1975 a group of friends sitting in Eichardt’s Pub came up with an idea - why not throw a party for locals and celebrate the arrival of…
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When New Zealand closed its borders in March 2020, Queenstown, a town built on tourism, felt the impact more deeply than almost anywhere else. Flights stopped. Hotels emptied. Streets that had bustled with visitors fell silent. “It was like someone flicked a switch,” recalls one local operator. “One…
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A Decade of Extraordinary Growth The 2010s were a golden era for tourism across New Zealand, and nowhere was that more evident than in Queenstown. Visitor numbers soared, visitor spending reached record highs, and the town’s global reputation strengthened with every season. Tourism continued to be…
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These trailblazing men and women created experiences so spectacular, that people travel from around the world to immerse themselves in our magnificent mountain scenery and explore adventures like nowhere else. Meet the people behind those quintessential Queenstown adventures – the pioneers of the…
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