In a region shaped by its visitor economy, iFLY Queenstown is demonstrating how tourism can create impact beyond an exceptional experience.
Through its Whakamana Youth Empowerment Programme, the indoor skydiving operator is using its core product - human flight - as a platform for confidence, connection and wellbeing for local tamariki.
Developed in response to growing youth anxiety following Covid-19, the programme brings together schools, health providers and community organisations in a model that reflects what regenerative tourism can look like in practice: businesses contributing directly to the social fabric of the place they operate.
“Our goal is to create a beneficial and impactful collaboration between local business, health and community organisations, education sectors and families in our district,” iFLY Queenstown owner Matt Wong says. “We aim to provide ongoing sustainable support for our local tamariki regardless of physical, mental and social standings and abilities.”
Delivered as a full-day experience, the programme blends wellbeing education, creativity, teamwork and challenge. Participants build practical tools - from emotional regulation and communication to self-awareness - before stepping into the wind tunnel.
The flight itself becomes more than a moment of adrenaline. It’s a real-world application of those skills: managing nerves, trusting others, and experiencing success in a supported environment.
Since launching in 2021, more than 500 young people have taken flight, including pupils from the majority of schools across Queenstown Lakes, as well as from the Southern Health School and Central Otago Living Options - reflecting iFLY’s broader commitment to inclusive tourism.
The results are both visible and measurable. Programme data shows a consistent shift toward more positive emotional states among participants, while educators report increased confidence, stronger communication and more open conversations around wellbeing back in the classroom.
"We see reluctant students begin to engage more freely and build in confidence,” says (now former) Queenstown Primary School team leader Emily Wright. "Every session, we see our students coming back uplifted, grounded and buzzing with joy."
Behind the scenes, the initiative is a true collaboration - supported by organisations including Whakatipu Youth Trust, QLDC, Sports Central and Te Hau Toka - and enabled by iFLY’s ongoing investment of time, people and product.
To date, that includes more than $75,000 in donated experiences, alongside staff and facility use.
The programme has gained significant industry recognition, culminating in a major win at the 2024 Tourism Industry Aotearoa Community Engagement Awards. The iFly team also won the Excellence in Community Contribution at the 2025 Queenstown Business Awards, along with the Judges ‘Going Places’ Award.
Inclusivity really benefits all
Inclusivity is also central to the iFLY experience. The wind tunnel is designed to be accessible for people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels.
With one in four New Zealanders experiencing a physical, sensory, learning, mental health, or other disability, “It makes business sense not to exclude 25% of the population from experiencing your product,” Matt says.
iFLY staff have undergone training, collaborating with organisations like the Making Trax Foundation, Blind Sport NZ, and GetAboutAble,to ensure they can support and confidently engage with people of diverse needs.
"Inclusive tourism should be a responsibility and priority for businesses, and they shouldn’t be scared to embrace it,” he adds. “They should work collaboratively, talk to people with lived experience to understand what they need and stop putting it off.”
Becoming an employer of choice
For iFLY, the regenerative philosophy is embraced internally too - it has twice been recognised as an ‘Employer of Choice’ at the New Zealand Tourism Awards, driven by a strong focus on manaakitaka - the Māori concept of care and hospitality.
“We strive to empower our employees by facilitating additional training to drive passion and learning," Matt says. "We’ve adopted Clifton Strengths which has helped ensure everyone knows their strengths and can reach their potential. We encourage staff to openly share their long-term goals and support them through their career progression.”
It’s all a reminder that regenerative tourism isn’t just about environmental outcomes - it’s also about people.
By aligning business capability with community need, iFLY Queenstown is helping create a stronger, more resilient destination – one where tourism contributes to wellbeing, opportunity and a sense of belonging.
And in doing so, it’s showing how even a single experience can have a lasting impact well beyond the moment of flight.
Learn more about iFLY’s journey here.
Information accurate at time of publication (2026).