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January, 2010 Australia Day was celebrated in style in Queenstown this month by both the countrys nationals and Queenstown tourism operators, who are big fans of the growing numbers of Aussie visitors who keep their tills ringing.The festive mood was in full swing in the resort for Australia Day and our trans-Tasman neighbours continue to boost tourism the Southern Lakes district. Ngai Tahu Tourism Ltd regional general manager southern David Kennedy said Australian visitors were the most important international market to the company, which runs Dart River Safaris, Shotover Jet and Hollyford Track Guided Walks. "Australians are not a passive people," he said. "They love getting involved and being active and have been the most important market to us." Australian visitors were a mainstay to the company throughout the recession. "Last year Australians proved to be our most resilient market. "That market has also shown growth, which is great, given global economic circumstances," Mr Kennedy said. He said attitudes to New Zealand had changed in Australian minds. "The Australian perception that New Zealand might be boring has been turned around in recent years, and we continue to be a really popular spot for Australian visitors, " he said. Nzone business development manager Derek Melnick said heavy marketing efforts in Australia had paid off well for the 20-year-old skydiving company. "Australians used to be our second biggest customers, " he said. "They have now surpassed that and overtaken the English to become our No 1 customers." Mr Melnick said he went to Australia three times a year to market the company. Tourism New Zealand and Destination Queenstown marketing were also a bonus for Nzone. "The money Tourism New Zealand and Destination Queenstown have channelled into marketing Queenstown in Australia has really paid off for us, " he said. "It's a big help and we're really thankful." Queenstown accommodation centre administrator Melanie Lawrence said the number of Australians calling Queenstown home seemed to be static. "We have a very steady amount of Australians looking for accommodation. That amount would be equal with English and Brazilian people, " she said. Source: The Southland Times
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