Public events
Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March 2026
Tourism Research Forum
Te Rā | Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Te Wā | Time: 09:30am-11:30am
Te Wāhi | Venue: Te Awa Room, Holiday Inn Remarkables Park
Join us for presentations and discussion of high impact tourism research from the University of Otago Business School and external research partners that addresses real-world tourism issues
This event is now at capacity.
University of Otago Queenstown Lakes Update
Te Rā | Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Te Wā | Time: 11:35am-11:55am
Te Wāhi | Venue: Te Awa Room, Holiday Inn Remarkables Park
Professor Richard Barker will provide a focused update on the University of Otago’s engagement in the Queenstown Lakes district — including current teaching activity, regional partnerships, executive education, and future development intentions.
This session will be of particular interest to alumni and community members keen to understand the University’s growing presence and contribution in the region.
This event is now at capacity
Public Lecture: When Tech meets Tourism - Can we keep Travel Human?
Te Rā | Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Te Wā | Time: 5pm-6pm
Te Wāhi | Venue: Holiday Inn Remarkables Park
Keynote speaker: Joshua Ryan-Saha, Edinburgh Futures Institute, University of Edinburgh.
From algorithm-curated itineraries and biometric check-ins to predictive crowd management and immersive digital experiences, emerging technologies are rapidly changing how we discover, book and experience travel. But as our journeys become more seamless, personalised, and efficient, what might we be losing along the way?
In this session, Joshua will draw on his global work to explore the tensions and opportunities at the intersection of technology and tourism. As machines become better at planning ‘perfect trips’, are we at risk of designing out the serendipitous and spontaneous discoveries and the genuine human connections that make tourism great?
Following the initial talk, a panel of leading local voices will discuss how Aotearoa New Zealand's tourism sector is navigating these questions and what choices lie ahead. Will tomorrow's travellers still wander and discover the unexpected? Can we harness technology's power while preserving tourism's capacity to surprise, challenge and change us?
Panellists:
- Sarah Russell, Technology Queenstown
- Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, Kāi Te Pahi, Kāi Te Ruahikihiki (Ōtākou), Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga), Kotahi Mano Kāika Manager, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
- Trent Yeo, ZipTrek
Join us to explore what comes next and get involved in the conversation.