Former Tourism Auckland general manager, and now The New Zealand Company Ltd director Graeme Osborne said Queenstown was "truly the only resort town in the country".
"Queenstown is not just recognised for one thing.
"I think labelling it as an adventure capital is simplifying too much.
"The minority go to Queenstown for adventure, but the majority go for the scenery and the lifestyle," he said.
This was an opinion shared by Positively Wellington Tourism marketing general manger Sarah Meikle, who said: "I certainly think New Zealanders see Queenstown as an exciting destination and it is full of adventure, but I think it's seen for other things as well, with all the wineries and food, and amazing scenery.
"Adventure is only a small part."
Accommodation website Wotif.com recently released its top-20 list of New Zealand's travel destinations, based on domestic bookings online - With Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown filling the top four spots.
Mr Osborne said he could not discuss specific domestic travel figures because of an "ongoing research flaw" in the tourism industry.
"We have a little bit of a problem in domestic tourism, and the research is a little flawed as domestic visitor nights are not recorded,"Still, quality is quality, and I think just from the beauty and splendour in Queenstown it will continue to grow in visitors and size."
He said an increase in Transtasman flights into Queenstown would also serve to help Auckland because 20% of the Australians visiting would hold a New Zealand passport and be willing to travel nationally.
"The link between Auckland and Queenstown Airport helps increase the dynamic flow between the cities, but Auckland will always be more popular as a family destination with the largest population in the country.
"Queenstown is also seen a ski destination, which is an extra sector, but that will always extend to Auckland internationally," he said.
From the Wellington perspective, Ms Meikle agreed the cities complement each other on the global platform.
"On an international stage, we work together.
"We are part of it all together.
"People come all the way from America or Europe, and they will certainly visit more places than one in New Zealand," she said.
Statistics from the Tourism Strategy Group, Ministry of Economic Development, predict by 2016 average yearly expenditure will increase 4% internationally, to $8.166 billion, but domestic expenditure will only increase 1.5% to $9.893 billion.
