Lake Wanaka Tourism (LWT) is preparing a ''mission'' to Queenstown to sell Wanaka's ''sizzle''.
In what is believed to be a first, up to 14 Wanaka activity tourism operators will set up an expo in Queenstown to show off their products to booking agents and ''travel influencers'', such as hotel staff.
Explaining the mission to Queenstown, sometimes regarded in Wanaka as a tourist town rival, LWT business development executive Geoff Marks said running the ''expo'' was a ''no brainer''.
Hotel staff dealing with tourists were often seasonal and therefore likely to be unfamiliar with what Wanaka had to offer.
And he regarded the products offered by Wanaka as being different enough from those offered in Queenstown not to represent competition.
''Leveraging'' the Queenstown market and creating relationships with those who could help sell Wanaka products ''should be'' a key sales strategy for Wanaka tourism businesses, he said.
The first mission, on December 10, is open to Wanaka businesses that offer tourism activities.
''Activities are the sizzle that attract visitors to the Lake Wanaka region and for this reason the sales mission is only available to activity operators,'' Mr Marks said.
Queenstown delegates will be encouraged to attend through the offer of prizes of Wanaka ''famil'' (familiarisation) experiences.
If the expo is successful, a bigger event with more exhibitors will be held next year, Mr Marks said.
