Destination Queenstown chief executive Stephen Pahl said the publicity for Queenstown during the Games was "absolutely priceless".
"It has been fantastic media exposure for the region. How the Winter Games organisers managed to lift the profile of the Games to such a high level in the inaugural year is a fantastic achievement," he said.
"We would never have the money to buy the exposure. It's really put Queenstown on the global stage," he said.
The Games' opening ceremony was held at the Steamer Wharf on August 21.
Pub on Wharf general manager Chris Buckley said the games helped boost the bar's patronage.
"The launch of Winter Games was absolutely brilliant. It brought us a lot of customers. We've had a good spin-off from it," he said.
Queenstown chairwoman of the New Zealand Hotel Council, and Eichardt's Hotel manager, Victoria Shaw, said Queenstown hotels hosting teams had "definitely benefited" from the Games.
She did not think the Games had brought major financial gains to the accommodation sector, but they had raised the resort's profile considerably, she said.
"Queenstown has had huge coverage, so the benefits will be seen going forward. Anyone following the Games on TV will have a huge awareness of Queenstown as a winter destination. The profiling has been fantastic," she said.
Ngai Tahu Tourism's southern manager, David Kennedy, said winter sports teams had been taking part in various tourist activities during the week-long event.
The Games had raised the resort's profile and would attract more spectators in coming years, he said.
Winter Games NZ chief executive Arthur Klap said the event went "extremely well" despite difficult weather conditions.
He praised the volunteers and officials who had been running the event.
Winter Games New Zealand Trust chairman Eion Edgar said he was "extremely pleased" with the inaugural Games.
"It's a wonderful thing for the Otago region, especially Wanaka, Queenstown, Naseby and Dunedin. It's incredible not only for the economic benefits but for putting the region on the world map," he said.
He said feedback from Queenstown tourism operators had been good.
"They've had a very busy week. Normally, this is a quiet time with the school holidays past and the end of the season coming, but they've been much busier than expected," he said.
