Jet set a $7m plus for resort

Robin Leach.
Robin Leach.
Private jet passengers injected more than $7 million into the Queenstown economy last year, with some spending about $10,000 a day.

Forty-five private jets landed in New Zealand last month, and 30 of those came to the resort, Queenstown Corporate Jet Services director Robin Leach, of Auckland, said.

Mr Leach estimated the ''conservative'' spend per plane in Queenstown was $30,000. Some could spend $10,000 a day, boosting many businesses in the ''tourism food chain'' across the Wakatipu, he said.

This included helicopter operators, caterers, transport providers, fresh produce suppliers and laundry services.

''It's a market which I think we've recently awoken to,'' he said.

''There's a good story here for the whole community, but for it to grow any more, we just need a bit more room.''

Large numbers of private jet visitors came from Europe, the United States and Asia - the latter a growth market with 160 new corporate jets capable of flying non-stop to Queenstown.

Queenstown Corporate Jet Services reached capacity at its terminal over Christmas, with eight...
Queenstown Corporate Jet Services reached capacity at its terminal over Christmas, with eight private jets parked in the resort on the same day. Photo by Queenstown Airport.
Among last month's high-flying visitors was US pop star Katy Perry, who was relaxing before two Auckland concerts.

Perry, family members and dancers spent several days sightseeing, wining and dining in Queenstown in mid-December.

It is understood she stayed at The Lodge at The Hills, owned by Sir Michael Hill on the grounds of his private golf course.

Other celebrities who have flown into Queenstown by private jet include Robin Williams, John Travolta, Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Supermodel contestants, Bill Gates, Elton John, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Mr Leach said most ''premium visitors'' last month arrived between December 23 and January 1, staying about a week each.

Most big-spending visitors were successful businesspeople - particularly new billionaires from China or Hong Kong - or had come from ''old money'', Mr Leach said.

''A lot have owned a private jet for a number of years and they've never been down here before ...

''Some have two jets [and bring them both].''

Some companies did not allow their directors to all fly on the same aircraft, and sometimes members of wealthy families chose to fly on two private planes.

''The majority of people in New Zealand don't realise the wealth that's generated around the world.''

New Zealand was an attractive destination for high flyers - not only was it away from the ''hurlyburly'' of cities like London and New York, but New Zealanders were ''pretty relaxed''.

''[They] don't make a fuss of people like that,'' Mr Leach said.

''The majority of people leave them alone and they probably enjoy the fact that they're not getting stopped by every man and his dog ... ''Often [here] people recognise them and make a point of leaving them alone.''

Mr Leach believed the recent terrorist attack on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo would also affect tourism, with New Zealand likely to become ''more attractive because it's seen to be more secure''.

''They are looking for security ... a safe place to go that's pristine and calm and away from the hurly burly ... Queenstown is a peaceful place to come.

''I think that's what attracts people here.''

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

 


Private jets in Queenstown

2013: 180
2014: 239 

• Each aircraft ''spends'' $30,000, based on ''conservative'' estimate.

• More than $7.1m injected into resort economy last year.

• Growth markets are Europe, the United States and Asia.

• Most are businesspeople, particularly ''new billionaires'' from China and Hong Kong.


 

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