The opening of a hotel at Remarkables Park Town Centre has been described as the beginning of an era by Remarkables Park chief executive Alastair Porter.
Ramada Hotel opened its doors on Wednesday in a "soft launch''.
Ramada general manager Greg Ewen told the Otago Daily Times he had been surprised by booking demand.
"We ramp up from 49% to 75% in early July. It literally just takes off and they are interesting forward figures.
"We knew we were coming into a very bullish market, but even we are pleasantly surprised just how quickly those numbers started to ramp up.''
The 54-room, four-star hotel is the first new hotel in the resort for five years.
Mr Ewen said it has been "a long time coming'' for the area.
Mr Porter said the opening marked an intensive period of activity at Remarkables Park Town Centre.
Seven other projects are under way, including a new Wakatipu High School campus, a 25,000sqm entertainment precinct, an indoor dry slope terrain park and 16 residential apartments.
The additional development will more than double the size of the centre. Mr Porter believed once complete, the retail sector would offer a unique shopping experience for locals and visitors.
"People are now recognising that this will be the largest town centre outside of the CBD. It is in close proximity to the future convention centre, gondola, ferry terminal and entertainment precinct, making it a very interesting destination.''
Remarkables Park is working on a resource consent application for its 10km scenic gondola linking the centre to Queenstown Park Station and The Remarkables skifield.
