An initiative between Queenstown, Invercargill and Dunedin airports encourages people to explore the lower half of the South Island. 

‘Southern Way’, which is also in collaboration with eight southern Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs), encourages visitors to use the airline’s multistop booking tool to fly into one of the three airports, rent a vehicle to explore the region, then fly out of another airport.

“We’re excited by the opportunities this opens up, and we believe there are real benefits for everyone in spreading visitors widely around the region, rather than having them concentrated in a few hotspots,” Queenstown Airport acting chief executive Todd Grace said.

“This is a meaningful way of supporting the regenerative tourism aspirations of our community and the lower South alongside Dunedin and Invercargill airports.”

Southern Way project manager Sanae Herd said the initiative encourages visitors to have longer, lower-impact stays.

“All of the RTOs involved are excited to have Air New Zealand and the Southern Airports Alliance fully engaged with this approach and working with us to facilitate visitors moving more widely around the regions and thereby reducing the risks of overcrowding and pressure point,” she said. 

‘One trip to see it all’ is the slogan for the campaign.

A dedicated Southern Way page on the Air New Zealand website is offering itinerary suggestions and inspiration to help people to plan and book a trip that suits their timeframes and interests.

The initiative is the product of a cooperative agreement that Queenstown, Dunedin, and Invercargill airports entered into in 2019, a first of its kind in New Zealand. 

The purpose of the agreement is to foster a collaborative working relationship across the airports of the lower South and make a positive contribution to the region by exploring opportunities to undertake joint initiatives.

PHOTO: Air New Zealand