National visitor figures are down, but Otago is bucking the trend - an additional 17,000 visitors were recorded in Otago in June, a 9% rise on the same month a year ago.
Queenstown accounted for most of Otago's rise.
The Statistics New Zealand June 2009 Accommodation Survey released last week found New Zealand's total guest nights in short-term accommodation during the month were 1.6 million (5%) down on June 2008.
Nationally, excluding caravan parks and camping grounds, the occupancy rate in June was 35%, the lowest in any month since June 1998.
Guest nights were down in both islands, the North Island experiencing a 6% decrease on June 2008, the South Island a 2% decrease.
Eight of the 12 regions had fewer guest nights, with the Auckland region showing the largest decrease (39,000 or 11%).
The biggest increase was in Otago.
The Otago region, which includes the Queenstown Lakes district, attracted the most international visitors for the month, up 4000 (3%) on June 2008.
It also recorded the largest increase in domestic nights, up 13,000 (15%).
Destination Queenstown marketing general manager Graham Budd said undoubtedly the 2009 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival and the perfect start to the Southern Lakes snow season had helped.
Another factor was thought to have been DQ's domestic marketing campaign "True Colours", supported by Queenstown operators, he said.
The increase in international visitors would "definitely" be attributed to Australians.
"We don't have specific data on this yet, but there is no question as other international market visitors are down a bit, the Aussie numbers have grown this year over 2008.
This has certainly flowed through into July and August too."
Guest nights in June further cemented the consensus it had been one of the best winters in recent times - and it was hoped the statistics would continue in the spring and summer months.
"Queenstown is simply a unique and stunning visitor destination in this part of the world. There is no other destinational experience like it and this is clearly appealing to more domestic visitors, as well as Australians.
"DQ and other industry marketing investments to promote winter . . . and Queenstown have been at their highest ever levels in the last six months.
"Ex-Australia air capacity has increased, in both direct to Queenstown and to other transtasman transit points such as Christchurch and Auckland, so it is both easy and more affordable than ever.
"We are confident that the momentum of growing awareness of Queenstown and excellent visitor experiences here will flow through into the spring and summer seasons - that is our challenge, to keep the all-year-round destination message strong and build that understanding."
Mr Budd said the economic situation had likely helped Queenstown because it was still "an exotic destination" but readily accessible and affordable.
"People still want to have travel experiences, so we fit the bill perfectly."
DQ was investing in marketing spring and summer in New Zealand and Australia over the coming months, with "Adventure and Discovery" as the theme for the campaign, targeting youthful adventure activity seekers, families looking for adventure and "baby-boomers or empty-nesters" also looking for new things and places to discover, Mr Budd said.
While the Otago region had the largest increase in guest nights for the month of June 2009, for the year ended June 2009 Otago was one of three regions with the largest decreases, down 188,000 (4%).
The two regions with the largest decreases for the previous 12 months were Auckland down 242,000 (4%) and Bay of Plenty down 212,000 (6%).
The only region showing an increase was Taranaki-Manawatu-Wanganui, up 5000 (less than 1%).
Nationally, guest nights were 3% lower than in the June 2008 year.
