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Technology Queenstown, the not-for-profit agency tasked with building a robust technology
ecosystem for the Queenstown Lakes District, is today announcing it will launch Asia Pacific’s leading travel and hospitality tech event, WiT (Web in Travel), in July 2026.
“We are thrilled to have secured the rights to bring WiT to our shores next year – a first for
Queenstown and New Zealand, this event is a cornerstone of Technology Queenstown’s Travel and Hospitality Tech cluster strategy,” says CEO Sarah Russell.
This event will bring together senior representatives from international travel tech companies, investors, operators and destination marketing organisations in a combination never seen before in New Zealand.
“With a mission to build a $1 billion world leading technology sector in Queenstown Lakes District over the next 20 years, this is an important step towards leveraging the strong reputation of the district as a travel destination and leveling that up to delivering innovative Travel and Hospitality Tech solutions to the world,” says Russell.
“Technology Queenstown has an ambitious strategy, and Travel and Hospitality Tech is a logical place to start – with over three million visitors annually the Queenstown Lakes District has the potential to become a prime testing ground for innovations that enhance travel experience.”
“Our mission has always been to spark innovation in travel tech, from Singapore to Tokyo, Seoul, Cape Town, and Dubai,” says WiT founder Yeoh Siew Hoon.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Technology Queenstown to build a unique edition that marries WiT insights with local strategic vision and talent,” she added.
WiT Queenstown will incorporate Host-Tech, a local hospitality tech event founded in 2024 to showcase New Zealand’s homegrown innovators as part of the Queenstown Lakes District Council economic diversification strategy.
“A tremendous amount of work has gone into establishing Host-Tech as a local success story,” says Technology Queenstown Chair Roger Sharp.
“We are looking forward to working with the team to amplify their success on the global stage by folding Host-Tech into WiT.”
“Hosting an international conference of this calibre in the district is an exciting step in actioning our economic diversification strategy, building on the Host-Tech initiative to attract international tech experts and innovators to connect with our own homegrown talent,” says Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers.
“Technology development is happening at an accelerated rate around the world and to avoid being left behind New Zealand needs to innovate, invest and tap into the dynamism and deep knowledge in the global community,” says Russell.
“Technology Queenstown is committed to high value job creation in regional New Zealand and the South Island, not just in Wellington and Auckland – investing in meaningful high-paid employment pathways will help to reverse the brain drain. There is enormous untapped potential for our country in the Travel and Hospitality Tech space.”
