Glyn Lewers: Queenstown Mayor on the influx of tourism in the city

It’s believed our trans-Tasman friends are keeping tourism strong in Queenstown.  

Skyline Operators, who run the luge and gondolas, have seen international luge rides increase by 32.6% from 7.46 million in the last year to close to 10 million.  

Gondola rides have also risen more than 21%.  

Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Andrew Dickens they're crossing the ditch in numbers. 

He says the latest stat from the airport shows routes from Aussie are up 145% on pre Covid numbers.  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
And yes we're in bad economic times, well most of
the country is, but there's still one spot breaking in
the cash that is Queenstown. Their top spots are back
in top form, with tourism operators reporting strong numbers right
across the board this winter season. So I'm joined now
by the Mayor of Queenstown, Glenn Lewis, who should be
a happy man.

Speaker 2 (00:18):
Are you, Glenn very happy?

Speaker 3 (00:20):
Injury yourself?

Speaker 1 (00:22):
I'm very good. I'm very good. But yeah, Queenstown does
seem to be back on its feet. How come it's
excelling this winter season. Didn't do so last winter?

Speaker 3 (00:29):
Oh look, I think we did pretty well last winter.
We I think Queenstown may leave it to keep itself
known during the pandemic years and with our trains Tairsman cousins.
So I think we're starting to see the.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Reward for that.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
All right, our tourists heading to New Zealand just for
your town or do you think that people come into
your town out then going other places? So there's a
trickle down.

Speaker 3 (00:52):
Well, I'm hoping they go to other places. But yeah,
it does seem we're rather strong. Our tins Tairsman friends
are certainly coming up here and the numbers. I think
the latest that we got from the airport we were
up one hundred and forty five percent on pre COVID
numbers on our trans Tasman route. So yeah, we're doing well.

Speaker 1 (01:13):
Are these wealthy tourists? I mean, I know you've got
a one hundred and thirty million dollar hotel development, so
money is going in. I was just wondering whether you're
actually targeting the wealthy people or you'll take anybody.

Speaker 3 (01:25):
Oh, it was a range of visitors.

Speaker 2 (01:26):
But look, we were there the better off people, but
we need the back backpackers as well.

Speaker 3 (01:35):
They may help with the seasonal work. They usually pour
the pints, as we usually say, absolutely so.

Speaker 1 (01:43):
Of course we've always talked about the fact that you
might be possibly over touristed, that your infrastructure is creaking
and struggling, so you're getting on top of that.

Speaker 3 (01:51):
Yeah, that's probably the challenge we do have, but big
opportunity as well. Infrastructure needs to happen at the same
time as growth and the tourism numbers. But we're also
a fast growing residential growth town as well, so we
get the double whammy. But we've got to keep on
top of the infrastructure.

Speaker 1 (02:09):
Is the waste water debate all over and done with.

Speaker 3 (02:12):
It's still trucking along. Let's say it's an environment court
coming up, so we'll see how that goes.

Speaker 1 (02:18):
Well. Good luck and congratulations and having a good winter season.
I'll be down there in about a month, Glynn, and
I think Glenn Lewis is the mayor of Queenstown.

Speaker 3 (02:27):
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