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Queenstown has ranked eighth among the most searched destinations by Chinese travellers for Lunar New Year 2026, up from 36th place in 2025.
The data, based on Booking.com searches made between October 1, 2025 and January 15, 2026 for travel between February 14 and 22, 2026, reflects a sharp rise in interest in the South Island resort town during the key holiday period.
China remains New Zealand’s third-largest tourism market. Since November 2025, eligible Chinese passport holders have been able to travel to New Zealand from Australia using a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) rather than applying for a visa.
Across the Asia-Pacific region, Lunar New Year is increasingly being used as a window for long-haul international travel. While Japan, Thailand and South Korea continue to dominate overall search volumes, Chinese travellers appear more likely than other regional markets to search beyond Asia.
European cities Paris, Barcelona and London ranked alongside Queenstown in the top 10 searched destinations for Chinese travellers.
Laura Houldsworth, Booking.com managing director Asia Pacific, says the rise in search interest reflects continued demand for nature-based and premium experiences.
“Queenstown’s combination of alpine landscapes, outdoor adventure and high-quality accommodation aligns well with travellers looking to start the year with a sense of renewal,” Laura says.
The top 10 most searched cities by Chinese travellers for the Lunar New Year period were:
Paris
Singapore
Bangkok
Tokyo
Chiang Mai
Barcelona
Sydney
Queenstown
London
Rome
The rankings mark a notable shift for Queenstown compared with 2025, when it placed 36th.
