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Some of the world’s leading voices in destination management, tourism leadership and sustainability will gather in Queenstown from Monday, October 6, to Friday, October 10, for the Destination Think Forum 2025.
The forum, convened by Destination Think, will highlight the region’s leadership in regenerative tourism and place Queenstown and Wānaka at the centre of global conversations about the future of tourism. As leaders from across the globe converge, they will explore how the Southern Lakes region is reimagining its visitor economy and how lessons learned in Queenstown can help shape the next chapter of global tourism.
Over five days, delegates will participate in panels, site visits, workshops and networking events focused on the theme Regeneration in Practice. Attendees include senior tourism delegates from Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania, eager to share what works in their regions and to learn from Queenstown’s journey.
Among the attendees is Rikke Holm Petersen, director of marketing, communication and behaviour at Wonderful Copenhagen. Rikke has been a vocal advocate for transforming tourism from consumption toward positive contribution, as demonstrated by Copenhagen’s CopenPay initiative, which rewards visitors for sustainable actions.
Rikke says tourism has the power to shape communities, landscapes and behaviour beyond traditional boundaries.
“I’ve come to the Southern Lakes region not just to share, but to be inspired. 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,” says Rikke.
Mat Woods, chief executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, will contribute as a guest speaker, covering the region’s Destination Management Plan, including its ambitious goal for a carbon-zero visitor economy and local case studies.
“Queenstown is grappling with the same challenges many destinations elsewhere face, balancing visitation, community expectations and ecological impacts,” says Mat. “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.”
The Destination Think Forum 2025 will focus on how tourism can transition from sustaining to restoring the places it touches. Sessions will explore regenerative models, carbon reduction pathways, governance structures and community collaboration. For Queenstown, the event is a chance to highlight the progress of its Destination Management Plan, deepen international partnerships and further position the Southern Lakes as an example of how tourism can create lasting positive impact.
For more information about the Destination Think Collective, visit: destinationthink.com/collective
