The region was facing major infrastructure shortages and Mr McGowan urged local and central government to work to remove any ``red tape'' restrictions and roll out the red carpet to investors.
``We have members looking into Queenstown, worried about future tours. Some accommodation has been booked out two years in advance. These things have to be recognised and solved.''
Next month, the British and Irish Lions will spend three days in Queenstown and New Zealand Cricket has revealed Queenstown as a key host city for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018.
Both of those events were likely to attract large numbers of players and supporters.
Mr McGowan said the number of Lions supporters visiting the South was probably limited because the visit was between two North Island test matches with the All Blacks.
However, while there might not be as much pressure in the past, the visit came just before the start of the ski season, a traditional quiet time for tourism.
The shoulder season for the Queenstown Lakes tourism season was getting smaller, increasing the need for more accommodation.
``We have to get in and make it happen - get it going. The experience people want includes quality accommodation but it is not only about accommodation. Quality restaurants need staff who are skilled and can provide a diversified offering.''
Mr McGowan urged central government to start looking at how investors could be attracted to invest into the region, even through public-private partnerships.
There were partnership models that could be used to help pay for the billions of dollars needed on infrastructure in the region.
Mr McGowan was responding to the ASB/Main Report regional score card which highlighted a shortage in the accommodation sector.
