Insights will be offered and questions answered on how Destination Queenstown members can capitalise on the burgeoning Chinese market, by a panel with first-hand knowledge.
DQ confirmed the members of the panel for its China Forum, in the Crowne Plaza hotel, on Friday, May 20.
The forum will be held just before trade expo Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (Trenz) is held in the Southern Lakes region for the first time, from May 22 to 25.
Mark Frood, Asia markets general manager for Tourism New Zealand, will Skype from Auckland.
Mr Frood, a former DQ marketing general manager, and his team in China are based in Shanghai.
Pan-Pacific chairman Chris Ireland will join the panel to offer his thoughts on the travel trade.
The co-founder of the South Pacific inbound tourism group has direct responsibility for its operations in the Asian market and New Zealand outbound companies.
Attendance by Auckland International Airport aeronautical business development general manager Glenn Wedlock was to be confirmed.
DQ convention bureau manager Kylie Brittain will discuss the outcomes from the Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) meeting in Shanghai last year.
Queenstown reporter Philip Chandler will recall his trip to China last year. The speakers will give insights into Chinese culture and visitor expectations and offer their own cultural observations.
How the Queenstown and New Zealand tourism market was perceived in China, and how Queenstown was being promoted, would be discussed.
DQ chief executive Tony Everitt, former Tourism New Zealand regional manager for China and Japan, will lead the forum.
Questions were encouraged from members, Mr Everitt said.
"The Chinese market has obvious potential, given the new airline routes and its rapid economic development."
The forum was finalised in the same week about 70 representatives from China Southern Airlines, government officials, outbound tourism operators and Chinese media were impressed by Queenstown's attractions and activities.
The party flew to New Zealand on the inaugural direct China Southern Airlines flight between the city of Guangzhou and Auckland.
