Queenstown to host the 2020 International Adventure Conference in December next year

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Queenstown would host the 2020 International Adventure Conference in December next year, and it is an event that will bring leading tourism researchers to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.

The winning bid was presented by Dr. Susan Houge Mackenzie on behalf of her team from the University of Otago, Queenstown Resort College, and the Otago Polytechnic Institute of Sport and Adventure.

Dr. Houge Mackenzie said, “Queenstown’s global reputation as an adventure tourism hub made it a stand-out choice for the Adventure Tourism Research Association (ATRA).

Thanks to the support of Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme, we have been able to bring a landmark event for tourism research to New Zealand.

International researchers are excited to be meeting here to exchange ideas and perspectives on adventure tourism. Queenstown is an ideal place for adventure tourism researchers, operators and policy makers to engage. The conference will focus on bringing academics and practitioners together to share their challenges and innovations, foster connections, and identify synergies. Our aim is to ensure symbiotic benefits for the local community and international delegates. We hope local practitioners and policy makers will benefit from international perspectives and expertise, and our international delegates in turn want to learn about Queenstown’s unique approaches to adventure tourism.”

ATRA co-founder, Professor Peter Varley said that he is delighted to collaborate with the conference hosts in New Zealand.

With the conference aligning with and supporting QRC’s growing research agenda, the event will be supported by students and staff from the Institute of Sport and Adventure, based in Cromwell, as well as local tourism operators.

The 9th annual International Adventure Conference for Queenstown is the result of a successful collaboration with Queenstown Convention Bureau and Tourism New Zealand Business Events, who helped in securing the bid.

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