Mr Hunter, who announced his resignation from CCT last November, told the Otago Daily Times he was looking forward to taking up the role in April.
Booming visitor numbers to the Southern Lakes and the prospect of increasing passenger capacity from China and the United States would create growth opportunities for the company, which owns a fleet of boats operating on Milford Sound and Lake Wakatipu.
But, he said, it would also present challenges.
"The Queenstown area, in particular, is under quite a bit of pressure from tourism growth, and naturally there are going to be challenges in terms of securing staff when there's a shortage of accommodation.
"So I go in there with my eyes wide open in terms of some of the things we'll have to deal with.''
Mr Hunter will succeed John Robson, who is leaving Southern Discoveries after 20 years with the company.
The University of Otago economics graduate will bring to the role his wide experience in the aviation, coach transport and marketing sectors, including stints with Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and the former Mount Cook Group.
He started his career working as a commercial pilot for Aspiring Air, flying between Wanaka, Queenstown and Milford Sound.
Owned and operated by the Skeggs Group since 2009, Southern Discoveries operates scenic cruises and charters on Milford Sound and Lake Wakatipu, runs kayaking excursions on the southern fiord and owns information centres in Milford, Te Anau and Queenstown.
It also has shareholdings in Milford Sound Lodge and Queenstown jet-boat operator KJet.
