Supporting Industry and Building Capability

Supporting local businesses to build capability is at the heart of creating a regenerative tourism future in Queenstown and Wānaka. The new online member hub and capability programme provide resources, training, and insights that help businesses strengthen resilience, innovate sustainably, and prepare for thetransition towards a regenerative visitor economy by 2030.

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Why capability building matters

Tourism businesses in the Queenstown Lakes district operate in one of the most competitive and rapidly changing environments in Aotearoa.The Destination Management Plan (DMP) highlights that building capability is central to ensuring a resilient, future-focused industry that supports and gives back to both people and place. Strengthening skills in areas such as marketing, leadership, sustainability, customer service, and inclusivity equips businesses to adapt to shifting markets while also aligning with the region’scarbon zero and regenerative goals. For many operators, the transition to regenerative and sustainable practices may feel challenging. Yet by investing in capability now, businesses not only reduce costs, mitigate risks and increase staff satisfaction and customer experience, but also position themselves as leaders in business and sustainability.

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The Member Hubs: central platforms for support

Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism have each launched new member hubs, designed as go-to platforms for capability support. These hubs consolidate resources, training, and insights in one accessible space, tailored for the needs of member businesses across both communities.

Through the hubs, members can access:

• Capability resources on marketing, inclusivity, environmental management, and social responsibility
• Comprehensive data and insights platforms, providing visitor economy dashboards, forward outlook reports, and  research updates.
• A full calendar of industry events, from   regenerative tourism workshops to conventional marketing seminars
• Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism strategic  plans, reports, and quarterly updates, ensuring transparency and alignment  with the wider Destination Management Plan.

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Both hubs are regularly updated and supported by dedicated monthly communications channels. This ensures that businesses remain connected, informed, and equipped with the tools to build resilience and move towards regenerative practice.

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Events and workshops shaping change

Capability building is not limited to digital resources. A full programme of events is underway, designed in direct response to member feedback. Over 100 businesses contributed to shaping the programme, identifying the areas of greatest need.

Workshops explore a wide range of topics, from practical carbon measurement and waste minimisation to inclusive tourism and cultural storytelling. Expert speakers, including sustainability leaders, accessibility advocates, and cultural practiioners, guide sessions that balance conventional business skills with the knowledge needed to operate regeneratively.

These events provide space for collaboration and peer learning, connecting businesses across the region to share solutions, challenges, and innovations.

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Building resilience for the future

This workstream directly supports every aspect of the Destination Management Plan. It supports Pillar 3 goals of building economic resilience and productivity, while also linking to Pillar 2 projects on decarbonisation and waste reduction, and Pillar 1 projects on inclusivity, welcoming communities, cultural respect, and community connection.

Every business that engages with the hubs’ resources and events and applies what they learn in their business operations helps move the district closer to its regenerative vision for 2030. Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism members are encouraged to explore the platforms, attend workshops, and share feedback on what capability support matters most. Reachout to member services if you have any questions or would like learn more about or access the member hubs.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, pleasereach out through the contact form.