Queenstown Trails Trust chief executive Kaye Parker said the reward for the $5.4 million invested in the project would be a forecast $25 million-plus, generated by users of the trail within the first five years, put back into the local economy.
This was calculated by multiplying the average spending of $185 per tourist per day and the estimated 25,000 visitors per year over five years.
"We will know in the next two months where we are financially, as all the costs incurred to date will be in and paid.
"We had always planned, subject to funding, to do more work on the older sections of the trail next year."
The trail covers more than 110km, linking Queenstown, Kelvin Heights, Frankton, Lake Hayes Estate, Arrowtown and Gibbston. It is to be officially be opened by Prime Minister John Key near Arrowtown tomorrow.
The Queenstown Trail has been planned since 2009 and will become part of Mr Key's $50 million nationwide cycling initiative.
Mrs Parker said surprisingly few hurdles were encountered and she could honestly say she was "absolutely" satisfied with the final product.
"Those who have seen and been over this trail have been blown away with what we have come up with," she said.
Although Queenstown tourism will be a huge beneficiary of the trail, local cyclists and motorists are likely to gain as well.
There is no shortage of cycling enthusiasts in the area and the trail is expected to make riding safer for cyclists.
"It's a wonderful new playground for locals, including a carbon-free way of commuting to schools and work," Mrs Parker said.
She estimated that over the course of the trail's construction more than 100 people worked on it. Eight tourist operators had expressed interest in using the trail and more jobs were bound to be created.
"There are new tour companies starting up, existing retailers are expanding their cycle hire businesses. Hopefully, cafes and accommodation places on the trail, particularly Arrowtown and Gibbston, will benefit from extra customers. Companies like A.J. Hackett Bungy at Gibbston should benefit as well, "so it's provided an economic benefit for the community".
The final section of the trail is still in progress near Remarkables Park and Mrs Parker said a detour would be put in place in the meantime.
Tomorrow's opening will start at 3.30pm at the Southern Discoveries Bridge, 253 Centennial Ave, Arrowtown.
