There's No Business Like Snow Business -- NZTRI

There's no business like snow business

The 10-day Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival will have a snowball effect on New Zealand with an expected $45 million to be injected into the economy.

A new report estimates 66 cents in every dollar is re-spent in the local economy on wages and supplies, with a further $29 million circulating through the economy after the first round of business expenditure.

The report, based on web surveys conducted last year by AUT University's New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI), show the domestic visitor spend during the winter festival averages $163 per person per day, with international visitors spending $248 per person per day.

Professor of Tourism and Director of NZTRI, Dr Simon Milne, says the projected $45 million is based on figures from the 2006 festival. "The findings of this research show the significance of this event for Queenstown not just for the economy but for the broader community."

NZTRI surveyed visitors, local businesses and community members in the research, commissioned by Destination Queenstown. The focus of the research was to investigate the social and economic impacts of the festival on Queenstown's community and economy.

Chief executive of Destination Queenstown, David Kennedy, says "the report reinforces the festival as the kick-start for Queenstown's winter economy".

Australia is the main source of international visitors, accounting for 58 per cent, with 21 per cent hailing from the UK/Ireland. Overseas visitors to the festival are also likely to visit other places, staying an average of 36.9 days in New Zealand.

Last year 40,000 people from outside the local area attended the festival with Otago being the single largest source market for domestic visitors, accounting for 28 per cent. Auckland follows close behind with 25 per cent.

NZTRI brings together tourism experts from institutions around New Zealand and the world. Its goal is to develop timely and innovative research solutions for the tourism industry and those who depend on it.

The 2007 Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival is expected to open tonight at 6pm and finishes on July 1. For more information about the festival, surveys and NZTRI, visit: www.winterfestival.co.nz and www.nztri.org.nz

ENDS

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