Tourism statisticsCity2026
Queenstown Tourism Statistics: 4.5M Nights in 2024
Queenstown, in Otago, New Zealand, recorded 4.5 million nights in 2024, Destination Queenstown Incorporated reports. Destination Queenstown Incorporated counts nights, not visitors, at this level. AirROI estimates 106,122 Airbnb stays in Queenstown in the 12 months to October 2026. The busiest month was August, and the quietest was May.
Airbnb figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026. Read the method
- Estimated Airbnb nights
- 494,768
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 4.7 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- August
- From abroad, among guests who left a review
- 84%
Key facts
Queenstown Tourism Facts
Each sentence names its place, period and source, so it can be quoted alone.
Official
- Destination Queenstown Incorporated puts Queenstown at 4.5 million nights in 2024.
Airbnb stays
- AirROI puts Airbnb stays in Queenstown at 106,122 in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Queenstown added up to 494,768 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in Queenstown lasted 4.7 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 73 days ahead.
Busiest months
- AirROI ranks August the busiest Airbnb month in Queenstown in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by January and March, with May the quietest.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb in Queenstown had no single high season in the 12 months to October 2026: the three busiest months were August, January and March.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Queenstown in November were booked furthest ahead, about 94 days, against 51 days for May, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 84% of Queenstown Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 came from abroad, led by Australia at 36% and the United States at 17%.
- Among Queenstown Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, Auckland was the top origin city at 6.9%, ahead of Sydney at 4.1%, AirROI estimates.
By place
- AirROI ranks Queenstown first for Airbnb stays among the 67 towns it lists in New Zealand in the 12 months to October 2026.
Official numbers
How Many Tourists Visit Queenstown?
Destination Queenstown Incorporated counted 4.5 million nights in 2024.
| Figure | What it counts | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 millionNights | Commercial accommodation guest nights | 2024 | Destination Queenstown Incorporated |
Airbnb stays
Airbnb Stays in Queenstown
Queenstown had 2,650 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 106,122 stays and 494,768 nights. A typical stay lasted 4.7 nights and was booked about 73 days ahead.
- Airbnb homes
- 2,650
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 106,122
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 494,768
- Typical stay
- 4.7 nights
- Booked ahead
- 73 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in Queenstown?
On Airbnb, August was the busiest month in Queenstown in the 12 months to October 2026, then January and March. May was the quietest. The busiest months do not sit together, so there is no single high season.
August ranks first, May last
Airbnb months in calendar order, 12 months to October 2026. The number is the month's rank, and 1 is the busiest. The bar shows its part of Airbnb nights.
- Three busiest months
- Other months
From busiest to quietest: August, January, March, February, December, July, November, September, April, October, June, May.
Month by month: rank, typical stay and days booked ahead
| Month | Share of nights | Booked ahead |
|---|---|---|
| August | 9.5% | 83 days |
| January | 9.4% | 79 days |
| March | 9.2% | 67 days |
| February | 9.1% | 79 days |
| December | 9.1% | 90 days |
| July | 8.9% | 79 days |
| November | 8.6% | 94 days |
| September | 8.6% | 72 days |
| April | 7.9% | 65 days |
| October | 7.4% | 72 days |
| June | 6.3% | 58 days |
| May | 6.0% | 51 days |
Share is each month's part of the year's Airbnb nights. Typical stay and days booked ahead are AirROI estimates for stays in each month.
Where guests come from
Where Do Queenstown Airbnb Guests Come From?
Among Queenstown Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 84% came from abroad, led by Australia at 36% and the United States at 17%, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, Auckland was the top origin city at 6.9%, ahead of Sydney at 4.1%. The figures rest on 249,685 reviews, written over many years.
84% from abroad
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From abroad 84%
- From within New Zealand 16%
Top countries abroad
Among guests who left a review
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in Queenstown
How many tourists visit Queenstown?
Queenstown had 4.5 million nights in 2024, according to Destination Queenstown Incorporated. That figure counts nights, not visitors. AirROI estimates 106,122 Airbnb stays in Queenstown in the 12 months to October 2026, which is a separate count of bookings.
When is the busiest time in Queenstown?
The busiest Airbnb month in Queenstown in the 12 months to October 2026 was August, then January and March.
What is the quietest month in Queenstown?
May was the quietest Airbnb month in Queenstown in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and June ranked 11th. Stays in May were booked about 51 days ahead, against 94 days for November.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in Queenstown?
A typical Airbnb stay in Queenstown lasted 4.7 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 73 days ahead. By month, stays ran from 3.7 nights in April to 5.2 nights in July.
Where do Airbnb guests in Queenstown come from?
Of Queenstown Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 84% came from abroad, AirROI estimates. The largest groups were Australia at 36% and the United States at 17%. Among the same guests, the top origin city was Auckland at 6.9%, ahead of Sydney at 4.1%.
Are Airbnb stays the same as tourists?
No. Destination Queenstown Incorporated counts nights (4.5 million in 2024). An Airbnb stay is one booking on one platform, however many guests it holds, and a night is a night, not a person. AirROI's 106,122 stays are estimates for the 12 months to October 2026.
Method
How These Numbers Are Made
Official figures come from their publishers, linked above, and were last checked in November 2026. Stays and nights are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, built from Airbnb listing data, and cover Airbnb only. Nights are stays times the typical stay: 106,122 stays at 4.66 nights. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 249,685 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.