Penny Clark, general manager of Goldridge Resort, made the comment to the Queenstown Times in her first interview as chairwoman since she was elected by members at a hotel council meeting late last month.
"The Rugby World Cup for Queenstown is not carrying the same hype as we don't have any games, but it will lengthen our winter season. We envisage we're not going to have a shoulder season [next spring].
"We also do not want the hype to suggest Queenstown is full for the skiers. We have enough accommodation in town for the skiers and all rugby fans."
The 2011 Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (Trenz) trade event in the Southern Lakes was great for Queenstown. Council members needed to look at how they could "support and capitalise" on it.
Ms Clark said as chairwoman she would be the collective voice of Queenstown members when dealing with the Tourism Industry Association, airlines and the community.
She will represent Queenstown members for the first time at the council's board meeting in Auckland this week.
"My role is to see we have good communication with the main entities, the Chamber of Commerce, Destination Queenstown and the [Queenstown Lakes district] council.
"Hotel managers are a good group and we've got a good mix of experience and knowledge of the Queenstown market place.
"Economically, we're pretty important to town. Sometimes, I think people lose the fact we pay our rates to market the town, but each one of us is promoting the properties and Queenstown, so it's a double whammy."
Considering the future was part of her role and she acknowledged the increasing importance of social media in marketing.
However, she said half of the world was still in economic recession and changing cultural demographics of visitors had to be recognised by staff training.
"I'd like to see more opportunities for work in Queenstown for New Zealanders.
"I've taken two students from Massey University and I see them as potential general managers."
Originally from England, Ms Clark started in the hospitality industry more than 30 years ago, as a kitchenhand in Western Australia.
She intended to return home via New Zealand, but never left this country.
"I like the seasonality and Kiwis are great people. I joined Travelodge NZ Ltd, which became Southern Pacific Hotels, and I had a career path and enjoyed working for them for over 20 years."
Most recently in her varied career, she managed Heritage Christchurch, was NZHC Christchurch chairwoman and became senior general manager for South Island Heritage operations, before taking up the role of operations manager in Auckland.
Her role at Goldridge Resort also sees her as a director for Dorchester Hotel Property Trust Trading Ltd, which has another three accommodation entities.
Ms Clark replaces John McIlwain, who was appointed area general manager New Zealand for the Rydges properties.
Mr McIlwain remains involved as the Queenstown region's deputy chairman.
Queenstown Lakes NZHC members
NZHC Queenstown members collectively operate 2412 hotel rooms, control capital assets valued at $436 million, generate annual revenue of $97 million, pay $2.5 million annually in rates and provide employment for more than 1210 people.
Member hotels are:
• Copthorne Hotel and Resort
• Crowne Plaza Queenstown
• Edgewater Hotel
• Eichardt's Private Hotel
• Heartland Hotel
• Heritage Queenstown
• Hotel St Moritz
• Kingsgate Hotel
• Mercure Queenstown Resort
• Millbrook
• Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
• Goldridge Resort
• Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort
• Peppers Beacon
• Millennium Hotel
• Rydges Lakeland Resort
• Scenic Circle
• Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa
• Tanoa Aspen Hotel Queenstown
• The Rees Apartment Hotel
• The Spire Hotel
