In this winter season, Queenstown witnessed more than double national average growth in guest nights, last month. These results have delighted Tony Everitt, the Destination Queenstown Chief Executive. He shared that this time, the winter season has started well and started early.

He said, “We've had a robust start to the ski season, a fantastic Winter Festival, more direct domestic and transtasman flights, and a particularly strong response from the Australian market”.

Asia had recovered from its 2009 lows due to swine flu, but North America and Europe, were the same due to economic slump that made the travel demand dull.

NZSki Chief Executive, James Coddington was ecstatic with the kind of beginning, the ski season has got this year. Queenstown was able to provide excellent trail conditions from the very first day, due to early snowfalls and consequently world-class snow-making.

In the month of June, out of 12 regions, Otago had the second-highest increase in international guest nights, which indicates an 11% increase if compared to the last year. The overnight stays by guests in New Zealand; all over the country, was up 9%.

New Zealand Hotel Council Queenstown Chairman, John McIlwain shared that, though, June used to be conventionally one of the quieter months of the year, but this time it was extremely good.

The opening of Coronet Peak in the first week of June is also one of the factors contributing to the difference.