A cutting-edge information guide which encompasses Queenstown within an online, interactive "one-stop information show" was launched in the resort yesterday, and dozens of operators have already taken to the new technology.
LiveTouch enables users to navigate Queenstown's adventure operators, accommodation providers, restaurants and bars as well as view mountain updates, flight times and live Queenstown cameras on-screen.
People could access the live-feed systems using free touch screen or internet kiosks around central Queenstown, or access the service via laptop or smart phones, on HQWi-Fi Hotspots and Queenstown.com.
Innovators Uan Spijkerbosch and Fraser Campbell had been trialling the system, developed by Queenstown-based technology company HeadQuarters, with 30 operators and 10 sites for the past year, with great success.
"LiveTouch is an all-encompassing comprehensive live service tool that offers a complete overview of Queenstown," Mr Spijkerbosch said.
"The fantastic thing about LiveTouch is that it's a magnet for people who want to touch and play for free, but as an extended service visitors and locals can access it using their smart phones, to check out live-feed weather forecasts, maps, on-mountain web cams, activity prices, event listings and demo videos.
"It's also an easy-use sales tool for front-of-house staff and concierges to help close the sale."
LiveTouch had already been introduced in a more simple format for Department of Conservation sites, where the first four systems were installed at Queenstown's regional visitor centre on Shotover St.
Following its success, HQ was commissioned to install others.
The system could be found in 20 internet kiosks in Queenstown, 10 touch screen kiosks, 60 accommodation providers and 90 Wi-Fi hotspots.
Those included GoldRidge Resort, Reavers Lodge, Alpine Backpackers, Absolute Backpackers, Q Box, Creeksyde Top 10 Holiday Park Queenstown and the Queenstown Events Centre.
Ziptrek Ecotours director Trent Yeo, whose company has been one of those trialling the service, spoke highly of his experience using LiveTouch.
"As a tourist, to use this service is just mind-blowing, and as a tourism mecca Queenstown and New Zealand needs to be the essence of new-age tourism via Wi-Fi, QR codes and LiveTouch."
