The 7 day minimum stay solution

Busiest. January. Ever. Another record broken at Queenstown Airport.

249,916 people movements - a 4.6% increase from 2023.

Meanwhile, visitor spend reached nearly $100 million in January - a 2% increase from the same period...

This means more visitors and an unmatched increase in spend.

Queenstown's resident population continues to grow at record rates above both the spend and visitor arrivals at ~8% per year.

Even though the #1 reason for a destination to become unpopular is overcrowding... Airline and airport past behaviour doesn't indicate that they're going to do anything to stop it.

So, what can private enterprise do?

In Austria, and particularly in its alpine destinations, it's common for hotels to prioritise 7-night stays during the high season.

This practice is rooted in several reasons:

- Demand Management: High season in alpine areas typically coincides with peak holiday periods, such as winter sports season or summer hiking months. By setting a minimum stay requirement, hotels can manage demand more effectively, ensuring rooms are occupied throughout these peak times without the need for constant check-ins and check-outs.

- Operational Efficiency: A 7-night minimum stay helps hotels streamline their operations. It reduces the workload related to room cleaning and preparation, guest services, and administration, such as bookings and check-outs. This efficiency can be particularly important in locations that may not have a large workforce or where operational costs are high.

- Traveler Expectations: In many alpine destinations, visitors often plan extended stays to fully enjoy the destination. A 7-night stay aligns with the typical vacation length for many travelers seeking to make the most of these opportunities.

- Market Standardisation: As many hotels in these areas adopt a 7-night minimum stay, it becomes a standard practice, with guests expecting and planning their holidays accordingly.

Smart solutions to many of the challenges that Queenstown faces are out there already.

This 1 idea won't solve all the problems.

But sharing and implementing many of these ideas - in a way that helps private businesses - has a ripple effect that the airlines, airports and booking agencies will have to deal with.