That is according to Lonely Planet’s "top 10 best-value 2024 hotlist".
The annual list was published yesterday and this tiny corner of New Zealand ranked ninth behind such mega destinations as Egypt, Algeria, Poland and the entire midwest of the United States.
Lonely Planet senior director of trade sales and marketing Chris Zeiher backed up the region’s ranking by saying it "beckons travellers to embrace a leisurely pace, reduce their environmental impact and savour the delights of new cycling routes, rich local culture and exquisite cuisine and wines".
He described Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Clyde as captivating.
And he went on to mention the golf courses, the winter sports and, for a second time, the "renowned wineries".
There was also the region’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the appreciation of "natural wonders" through cycling and hiking.
Asked if "best value" implied "cheap", Mr Zeiher said the category highlighted destinations that provided travellers with "a profound sense of value, rather than mere affordability".
"Lonely Planet has handpicked locations that present exceptional value on the whole travel experience."
Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods said the region catered for every travel style and budget.
Asked if the Lonely Planet publicity was a good thing given concerns over the ability of the region’s infrastructure to handle increasing numbers of tourists, Mr Woods said the best-value award recognised the quality of the region as a destination.
"This sort of recognition is a platform to help us tell the story of the direction the region is going in, prioritising regenerative tourism and seeking high-contributing visitors.
"We hope we can build on this sort of publicity to encourage visitors to stay longer, do more, connect with our community and take part in activities that give back to the environment."
Asked if the region offered good value, a Perth couple who did not want to be named said they had visited 12 times over the past 25 years because it did.
They enjoyed the great walks, environment and friendly people.
Portuguese couple Sara Onofre and Guilherme Silva said they expected their holiday to be expensive but were unconcerned because it was their honeymoon.
The one thing Ms Onofre had bought so far was a pure wool scarf, which she felt was a natural product of good value.
Mr Woods said Destination Queenstown had no way of measuring whether awards directly impacted visitor numbers.
"They do help raise the destination’s global profile and people tend to make choices based on word of mouth or destinations they’ve read about."
