International adventure tourism experts to converge on Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand has won a bid to host the 2020 International Adventure Conference, which will bring leading tourism researchers to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, in December next year. The winning bid was presented by Dr Susan Houge Mackenzie on behalf of her team from the University of Otago, Queenstown Resort College, and the Otago Polytechnic Institute of Sport and Adventure. Dr Houge Mackenzie is a lecturer in the Department of Tourism at the University of Otago and a member of the World Tourism Forum. Mackenzie commented: “Queenstown’s global reputation as an adventure tourism hub made it a stand-out choice for the Adventure Tourism Research Association (ATRA). “Thanks to the support of Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme, we have been able to bring a landmark event for tourism research to New Zealand. International researchers are excited to be meeting here to exchange ideas and perspectives on adventure tourism. “Queenstown is an ideal place for adventure tourism researchers, operators and policy makers to engage. The conference will focus on bringing academics and practitioners together to share their challenges and innovations, foster connections, and identify synergies. Our aim is to ensure symbiotic benefits for the local community and international delegates. We hope local practitioners and policy makers will benefit from international perspectives and expertise, and our international delegates in turn want to learn about Queenstown’s unique approaches to adventure tourism.” Dr Houge Mackenzie says the conference will have a strong emphasis on sustainable development goals and how adventure tourism can help support and work to meet these at both an international and local level. Delegates, mostly from Europe, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and North America, are set to arrive from December 7, 2020. Queenstown Resort College welcomes being the local host venue for the academic sessions, as it aligns with and supports QRC’s growing research agenda. The event will be supported by students and staff from the Institute of Sport and Adventure, based in Cromwell, and local tourism operators. Securing the 9th annual International Adventure Conference for Queenstown was the result of a successful collaboration with Queenstown Convention Bureau and Tourism New Zealand Business Events, who helped produce the bid.