Qyer, which has more than 80 million registered users, announced yesterday it would open a "Q-Home" in the resort, where its free independent travellers (FITs) from China will be able to book personalised services and activities, share stories and have face-to-face contact with Qyer.
It would also serve as a venue for the resort’s tourism operators to reach the Chinese market directly and learn more about Chinese culture and travel habits.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd is in Beijing, China this week signing a memorandum of understanding with Qyer and said the agreement would open up new opportunities for the regional tourism organisation to promote Queenstown.
"Not only is this deal important for Qyer’s customers coming to Queenstown, who will now have a place to go to make travel arrangements with the company, DQ will now have direct access to Chinese travellers who are considering a visit to Queenstown through Qyer’s website and services.
"As a year-round destination, our motivations are to encourage growth in travel outside of peak times. This relationship with Qyer will enable us to promote autumn and spring to Chinese travellers."
Once the Q-Home opened, Qyer would become a DQ member, which meant it would become part of the DQ membership model in which all commercial ratepayers contribute to its annual funding pool.
Qyer president and co-founder Cai Jinghui said the company was excited to extend its co-operation with DQ by working with members of the resort’s business community to benefit Chinese travellers.
"I believe that our partnership will not only promote tourism and travel trade between the two sides, but also facilitate further cultural exchange between China and Queenstown," Mr Jinghui said.
China is Queenstown’s second-largest international market and its top long-haul market, making up 13% of its annual international visitor arrivals.
The proportion of FITs, as opposed to travellers in organised tour groups, from China had also increased.
