Queenstown is the kind of destination many of us dream of visiting. With its breathtaking mountains, stunning lakes, and world-class adventure experiences, tourism has long been at the heart of the local economy. But when COVID closed international borders and visitors disappeared almost overnight, the community faced a major challenge. It also sparked an ambitious idea: what if Queenstown could become a global hub for travel and hospitality technology, creating new opportunities beyond tourism?
In this Company Spotlight episode, Dan sits down with Roger Sharp, Chair of Technology Queenstown, to explore how that vision is becoming a reality. Roger brings decades of experience in travel technology, from building and selling lastminute.com in Australia and New Zealand to chairing Webjet and now WebBeds. He shares how Queenstown is working to attract startups, develop local talent through a partnership with the University of Otago, secure long-term private funding, and position itself as a real-world testing ground where travel technology companies can develop and trial new products with hotels, operators, and travelers.
The conversation also explores what it takes to turn an ambitious idea into something the entire community can get behind. Drawing inspiration from destinations like Bend and Bozeman, Roger discusses the importance of local support, investment, and collaboration, along with the role of WiT (Web in Travel) in putting Queenstown on the global innovation map. From economic resilience and remote work to venture capital and the growing influence of AI, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how destinations can build more diverse economies and become centres for innovation.
Learn more at technologyqueenstown.com.
