|
|
| Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view it online. |
| Trade Remarks - Winter Update |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Welcome |
Welcome to the winter edition of the Queenstown Trade Remarks. The season is certainly upon us with four ski mountains ready to go. Over the last couple of weeks we have had a sneak peek at Cardona Alpine Resort and Coronet Peak opening for a weekend teaser of what is to come. Remarkables Ski area officially opened a few days earlier to make the most of the early season snow. We are all just a little bit excited especially with the Real Journeys Queenstown Winter Festival next weekend.
It hasn’t been all play, the trade team headed to TRENZ in Dunedin in May. I am sure we can all agree it was a great event, the perfect opportunity to learn more about Queenstown and New Zealand, catch up with old friends and make new ones. Even better when we had many of our trade partners spend a few days in Queenstown pre or post to take in the sites. The four days flew by as we had many things to share with all of you, including new Queenstown accommodation and experiences.
We would also love to share with you one of our stories featuring a passionate Queenstown local. This short video Brewing up magic in Arrowtown features Jay Sherwood, chef at La Rumbla and co-founder of Lake & Wood brewery. Find out how to explore Queenstown like a local. Enjoy!
Please read on for more information and updates.
Sarah & Ella |
|
|
| Queenstown Update |
Our new 2018/2019 Queenstown Product Directory, Meeting & Incentive Planner contains information and contact details for conference services, accommodation, activities, food, wine and shopping, and many more experiences within the Queenstown region. The Product Directory can be downloaded from HERE, or if you would like further hard copies, please don’t hesitate to contact Sarah Norton.
Public Transport App,The Choice App is now offering more transport choices- including Orbus ($2 bus service), Super Shuttles, Savy, Taxi and Queenstown Water Taxis. It’s now easier than ever for you to book your Queenstown trips - whether that means pre-booking or waiting until you need it. The Choice team is currently developing their winter offering which includes more transport providers, live information, and customisation. Read more
HERE is a list of newly opened hotels and proposed hotel projects in Queenstown for your reference. Please note that the proposed projects are not yet confirmed.
|
|
|
|
| Awards & Accolades |
Air New Zealand has been ranked the world’s second best airline in Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for airlines. The carrier’s Premium Economy product was also named the world’s best premium economy. Read more
Queenstown Airport has been voted one of the world’s Top 10 Scenic Landings for the 5th year in a row in the annual PrivateFly poll, taking out 4th place after Donegal (Ireland), Barra (Scotland) and Nice (France). Read more
Air Milford has been awarded for Excellence in Branding 2018 in Otago in the Travel and Hospitality Awards out of the UK. Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
| Air New Zealand will launch new thrice-weekly non-stop services from Chicago to Auckland from 30 November 2018, using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The flight will be around 15 hour’s northbound, and 16 hours southbound. In addition, joint-venture partner United Airlines will recommence year-round services from San Francisco to Auckland from 31 March 2019. Read more |
|
|
|
| Air New Zealand has announced additions to its Tasman schedule, including the addition of Queenstown-Brisbane services up to four-times-weekly from 18 December increasing the airline's total international capacity out of the resort town by 20 per cent. Read more |
|
|
|
| Air New Zealand and Qantas have announced a new code share deal on 115 domestic routes in New Zealand and Australia. The proposed deal would speed up connections, opening up more onward flights for customers on each carrier’s domestic networks and faster journey times overall. Eligible customers will have access to a combined total of 36 domestic lounges on both sides of the Tasman when flying on routes covered by the code share agreement. Read more |
|
|
|
| Virgin Australia will launch flights between Melbourne and Queenstown from 28 October, with three flights per week running as standard, increasing with a fourth weekly flight during periods of high demand. The VA flights will offer business class on the route for the first time. Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accommodation Update |
| Camp Glenorchy, the first ever guest accommodation venue designed according to the Living Building Challenge™ - the most rigorous sustainability standards in the world – welcomed guests for the first time this autumn amidst rural landscapes of Glenorchy, a scenic 40-minute lakeshore drive from Queenstown. Camp Glenorchy seeks to inspire and share learnings about new standards in sustainable tourism. The seven cabins are creatively appointed two-bedroom suites with fine linens to deluxe rooms with ensuite bathrooms in one, two, or three-room configurations. Read more |
|
|
|
| Queenstown Park Boutique is adding three new Remarkables Rooms, to be built on top of its existing Remarkables Rooms with views of the Remarkables. The hotel will temporarily close, reopening to guests in Gondola Rooms in early July, and revealing the new rooms in late August. Read more |
|
|
|
Wyndham Gardens Queenstown opened in May 2019 is located in Remarkables Park close to Queenstown Airport, Ramada Remarkables Park hotel and the Remarkables Park shopping complex. This four star property has 75 studios which include fantastic views of the Remarkables Mountain and Coronet Peak. Read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Activities Update |
Skyline Queenstown Stratosfare restaurant will offer additional dining times starting 1 July. Dining time slots of up to 90 minutes continuously throughout the evening, available from 4.30pm - 8.45pm. This is replacing the current 1st and 2nd sitting structure.
To help celebrate Chinese New Year in 2019 Stratosfare restaurant will include lunch and dinner each day from 1- 8 February 2019. This Chinese New Year special includes a return Gondola ride and an extensive celebratory international buffet in Stratosfare restaurant. Read more |
|
|
|
| Skyline Queenstown Luge is currently being upgraded from a 2 seater chairlift to a 4 seat. The Luge is currently closed and will reopen on 4 August 2018. Read more |
|
|
|
| Skyline Queenstown Kiwi Haka will cease operations after many years at Skyline Queenstown. The final Kiwi Haka performance will be on 31 August 2018. Show times will continue as normal between now and 31 August with daily shows at 5.15pm, 6.00pm and 7.15pm. For any queries regarding Skyline Queenstown please contact Skyline Sales. |
|
|
|
| Altitude Tours is a locally owned and operated tour company specialising in wine tours, wine and craft beer tours and private transport. The two daily departures consist of a half day Sampler tour and an exciting, unique Twilight wine and craft beer tour. Whether you're after daily departures, customised itineraries or transport, Altitude's fleet of luxury Mercedes Sprinters will get your clients from A to B in comfort and style. Read more |
|
|
|
iFly Indoor Skydive is under construction, due to open this winter. iFly will be New Zealand’s only indoor skydiving simulator, great for flyers of all ages who are keen to experience the feeling of freefalling but aren’t quite ready to try skydiving. The wind-tunnel complex is being constructed on Brecon Street, next to the Skyline Gondola terminal at the foot of Bob’s Peak. Read more
|
|
|
|
| Pacific Jemm has joined Imperium Collection of Boutique hotels (owners of Eichardts) to offer luxury cruise experience on Lake Wakatipu. Read more |
|
|
|
| Snowmobiling by Glacier Southern Lakes the only heli-snowmobiling product in New Zealand began their season at the start of June. A five minute helicopter over to Garvie Mountain the snowmobiling currently operate three trips a day with a maximum of six people per trip. Read more |
|
|
|
| Heli Tours is a locally owned and operated helicopter company in Queenstown, and have launched several new products including Mountain Chef, Fiordland Jewel transfers, Catlins Coastal Experience and Northern Explorer. Read more |
|
|
|
| Glacier Southern Lakes has added a new Airbus EC135 P2+ to its fleet. The twin-engine machine will be used for exclusive private charters carrying up to six passengers, and is the only one of its kind operating commercially in New Zealand. Read more |
|
|
|
| Southern Discoveries is launching a new smaller 37-seat coach to offer a later 8am departure to Milford Sound, and the ability to offer a Milford Sound coach, cruise and kayak trip, departing from 7am in summer. Kayaking in Milford Sound has become one of the company’s most popular trips in recent years and this is the first time they will be able to offer a trip from Queenstown by road, rather than flight. Southern Discoveries also offering their Milford Sound Discover More package off Scenic Cruises, in addition to Nature and Encounter Nature Cruises, and with an option to upgrade the Picnic Lunch to a hot Buffet Lunch. The move will cater to the growing Chinese and other Asian FIT markets seeking more authentic and personal experiences. Read more |
|
|
|
| NZSki Coronet Peak twilight and night skiing, now operating on Wednesdays, alongside Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 9pm. Après pizza and drink near a roaring fire at the base building, while DJs spin tunes in the background. A number of events around night ski are in the works for 2018, reach out to NZ Ski for updates. The learner terrain at Coronet Peak is being reconfigured for winter 2018, with the installation of new conveyors to increase capacity and decrease the gradient of the slope at the top of Meadows Lift to make it friendlier. Read more |
|
|
|
| NZSki Remarkables The start of winter 2018 has arrived for The Remarkables. The popular Ice Bar on Curvey Basin is being fitted out with BBQs to keep bacon butties and other treats hot. As with Coronet Peak, trails have been reclassified to include a red run, sitting between blue and black runs in terms of difficulty. Read more |
|
|
|
Cardrona Alpine Resort Cardrona Alpine Resort is now part of the Real Journeys Queenstown Winter Festival family as the priority mountain, with a dedicated mountain events village providing a base for the range of on-mountain events.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is heading into its second winter season with its new ‘Chondola’ combined gondola and chair lift. The gondola has opened up the top of the mountain to learners and non-skiers alongside more experienced levels to provide a unique snow experience in Queenstown. There’s a Mumm Champagne Bar at the summit alongside three other bar locations on-mountain. Read more |
|
|
|
Soho Basin, is a private ski area offering pristine high-country terrain, world-class views and gourmet dining in an atmosphere of relaxed and understated luxury. They combine the fun and adventure of an alpine off-piste experience with the ease and creature comforts of high-end ski resorts.
Soho Basin is located in the Cardrona Valley, a 60 minute drive or 10 minute helicopter ride from Queenstown. Once there, you’ll access 264 hectares of skiable terrain from the comfort of a heated cabin atop our state-of-the-art snow cats. Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Restaurants, Cafes & Bars Update |
| Hawker & Roll, a fast-casual spin off to sister restaurant Madam Woo, locate at the top of Queenstown Mall. The eatery features signature dish the hawker roll (i.e. a rolled roti stuffed with delicious Malaysian flavours), alongside other Malaysian-themed dishes designed for on-the-go dining. Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Key Dates & Events |
Real Journeys Queenstown Winter Festival, 21-24 June
Falling for four days over the weekend, the programme for the 2018 Festival can be found here. The Matariki Torchlight Procession kicks things off with a walk through Queenstown streets leading onto a breath taking Waka Ama and Powhiri. Meanwhile, the Legends of Steel Brecon Street Rail Showdown will be in full swing with 16 of our region’s elite snow athletes competing for the coveted title. iHeart Radio Day on the Bay gives everyone a chance to get their teams together to compete in the Go Orange Rafting Rampage, Jucy Undy 500, Mitre 10 Funduro and The Hits Birdman and elsewhere in town the annual Old Mout Dodgeball champs & QRC Hospo race need new local trophy winners. Introducing Sherwood hotel into the fold for the first time, there is a fantastic array of kiwi artists to enjoy whilst indulging in specially designed Winterfest menu. The annual SKYCITY Ball is taking off to a secret location, which has people talking. There is a stellar music line up across town and in the newly located Bath House Stage hosting four days of free music. Read more
Audi Quattro Winter Games, Queenstown, 24 August - 8 September
Winter Olympic and X Games stars are heading to New Zealand’s Southern Alps once again for the first major championships of the season. Watch them compete for glory in freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and curling in what will be bigger and better than ever. The 2018 Sports and Ceremonies Schedules can be found. Read more.
Winter pride, Queenstown,1-9 September
This year's festival is placing a renewed emphasis on growing the ON-MOUNTAIN SERIES, with a designated mountain resort hosting the festival each day so that we can keep the fun in one place. This year, our partner mountains are working with us to dedicate areas of their bars and restaurants to our pride festival, meaning music, plenty of socialising and a real pride vibe on the slopes. Read more
|
Key Industry Dates
25-30 June Kia Ora South 2018, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou
9-13 July Kiwi Link India
8-10 August TEC conference, Hawkes Bay
19-29 August Kiwi Link South East Asia
17-21 September Kiwi Link Latin America
8-12 October IMA North American Roadshow
|
|
|
| YOUR DESTINATION QUEENSTOWN TRADE TEAM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
