They say not all who wander are lost, but this week, some of the world’s sharpest tourism minds have found themselves exactly where they need to be: in Queenstown. Against the crisp alpine backdrop of New Zealand’s Southern Lakes, the Destination Think Forum 2025 is underway (6–10 October), drawing global leaders in destination management, sustainability and tourism strategy.
It’s not just another talkfest in a fancy setting. This five-day summit has become a kind of Davos for tourism, where sustainability stops being a buzzword and starts being a balance sheet item.
A think-tank with altitude
Destination Think’s event has positioned Queenstown and nearby Wānaka at the epicentre of the world’s conversation on regenerative tourism. This model asks not merely how destinations can sustain themselves but also how they can actively repair what’s been lost.
Attendees from Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania will roll up their sleeves for workshops, site visits and strategy sessions under the theme “Regeneration in Practice.” Among them is Rikke Holm Petersen, Director of Marketing, Communication and Behaviour at Wonderful Copenhagen, who has championed a new tourism ethos of contribution over consumption.
“I’ve come to the Southern Lakes region not just to share, but to be inspired,” Petersen said. “Queenstown’s alpine landscapes, its commitment to carbon-zero goals and the deep connection between people and place present a powerful opportunity for the future of destination stewardship.”
Her city’s much-talked-about CopenPay initiative, which rewards tourists for sustainable actions, has become a global case study in behavioural change and a useful benchmark for Queenstown’s ambitions.
Where economy meets ecology
On home soil, Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, sees the gathering as a chance to showcase how the region is turning its Destination Management Plan (DMP) from a document into a movement. Its ultimate target: a carbon-zero visitor economy.
“Queenstown is grappling with the same challenges many destinations elsewhere face, balancing visitation, community expectations and ecological impacts,” Woods said. “Hosting an event like this helps us to lay out how we can evolve across the tourism industry by sharing opportunities and learnings. We look forward to showing what’s possible here and learning from peers who are pushing boundaries globally.”
It’s an ambitious statement, but Queenstown has always been a bit of a paradox. A town built on indulgence is now attempting restraint. As flight-laden as it is photogenic, it’s become a test case for what a transition to regenerative tourism looks like when set against commercial realities.
Beyond greenwashing
The Destination Think Forum isn’t about slapping a green logo on old habits. This week’s panels will explore carbon reduction pathways, governance reform, community collaboration, and the hard work of turning slogans into systems.
Delegates are exploring how tourism boards can embed sustainability within their financial models rather than treat it as a corporate virtue signal. The message is clear: regeneration must be measurable, marketable and mutually beneficial to visitors and residents.
As global tourism approaches its pre-pandemic volumes, it is under increasing pressure to reconcile growth with genuine environmental and social outcomes. For its part, Queenstown is leaning toward transparency, publishing detailed metrics on emissions, visitor flows, and local well-being through its DMP framework.
The Southern Lakes as a living lab
Hosting the forum offers Queenstown and Wānaka an opportunity to prove that destination stewardship isn’t just a northern-hemisphere luxury. From carbon-neutral ski fields to community-led trail maintenance, the region is developing projects that redefine the relationship between hosts and guests.
This week’s workshops include deep dives into circular economy models, the intersection of technology and sustainability, and the evolving role of local councils in tourism governance.
Participants will also engage with Māori cultural custodians, whose kaitiakitanga (guardianship) concepts underpin much of New Zealand’s regenerative tourism philosophy. It’s a reminder that sustainability is as much about respect as reduction in this part of the world.
Global lessons, local leadership
What emerges from this week’s discussions could influence how destinations worldwide design their futures. Tourism boards from Japan to Canada closely watch the Southern Lakes’ blend of private enterprise and community oversight.
Queenstown’s challenge and opportunity lie in proving that environmental virtue and economic vitality coexist without devouring each other.
If the conversations sparked here can translate into genuine, measurable change, the town that built its fame on thrill-seeking may soon be known for something far steadier: a blueprint for the future of global tourism.
For further information, visit Destination Think Collective.
By Soo James
BIO:
Of Malaysian descent, Soo James built her academic foundations at UNSW, where she majored in Arts. Her career path has been anything but linear, beginning with a stint in IT before branching out into writing. Over the years, Soo has contributed to various blogs, blending her technical background with a creative flair that brings a fresh perspective to her work.
