Summer numbers had been good in Queenstown and investment confidence was climbing. Photo: ODT filesQueenstown has moved past pre-Covid tourism numbers and continues to be a key driver of the country’s tourism recovery. Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism chief executive Mat Woods said Queenstown was ahead of other areas. "While international holiday arrivals grew by an encouraging 6% nationally last year, Queenstown Lakes outpaced that trend with 11% growth." International visitor numbers were rising and they were from all corners of the globe.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 16, 2026 19:20 UTC