Transtasman rivalry is extending into Queenstown's annual gay ski week festival.
Australian accommodation wholesaler LeisureCom Group is promoting ''Gay Ski Week New Zealand'' events from August 29 to September 5 - dates that exactly coincide with the festival run by Queenstown-based Glam Enterprises for the past four years.
Both outfits say they are in it for the long haul, reporting strong ticket sales and several ''firsts'' for their festivals.
Glam Enterprises co-owner Sally Whitewoods, who has run the festival with civil union partner Mandy since 2011, says LeisureCom is ''piggy-backing'' off their efforts.
''But we're just focusing on what we do, and doing it as big and great and loud as we can.''
LeisureCom co-founder and chief operations officer Jon Tarrant says the Whitewoods do not have a monopoly on the festival, and claims ''significant demand'' for its programme.
''Many are either sold out or selling out quickly,'' he said.
Accommodation sales were also ''very strong'' and it had filled its allotment at host hotel Crowne Plaza.
Using the website domain name formerly owned by the festival's founder, Mike Sanford, the company is promoting seven nightly events and a flight and accommodation package.
Its all-events pass costs $349.
The Whitewoods are running nine events, with an all-week pass costing $599.
Mr Tarrant said his company had not communicated with the Whitewoods since February.
''We had attempted to work with them for over 12 months. Unfortunately, they did not share our vision of working collaboratively to attract more people to Queenstown for Gay Ski Week.''
LeisureCom planned to run its festival every year as a ''small part of our long-term overall strategy for Queenstown''.
Ms Whitewoods said her problem with LeisureCom was its ''unethical'' approach and use of the same dates.
''It's not about competition - we run a backpackers, so we're used to backpackers popping up all the time.''
She was unsure of the rival festival's impact on her bottom line - ''I'll tell you afterwards.''
Another contender
Queenstown's Gay Ski Week:
• Competing festivals this year, both running from August 29 to September 5.
• Founded by Mike Sandford in 2002.
• Taken over by Sally and Mandy Whitewoods in 2011 after Mike Sandford places Gay Ski Week NZ in voluntary liquidation.
• Run by the Whitewoods since 2012 as Gay Ski Week QT.
• Estimated 1300 people attended last year; about one-third from Australia.
