Otago Trails Win Coveted TripAdvisor Awards

Janeen Wood, Chief Executive for Southern Lakes Trails [Lake Dunstan Trail] said that "the TripAdvisor recognition helped reinforce the Trust's goal to connect people and create memorable experiences by building and maintaining high quality trails as a legacy asset for the community". 

"As well as being recognised by visitors and locals as one of the best trails in New Zealand, the Lake Dunstan Trail now serves as a connection point between the Otago Central Rail Trail in Clyde and other parts of Central Otago", said Ms Wood, "and the Trust aims to continue to develop a world-class linked network of Great Rides on Queenstown and Central Otago".

For the communities and tourism operators along the Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand's original Great Ride, it was affirmation of their collective hard work and warm hospitality. "The Otago Central Rail Trail Trust is delighted to learn that because of our customer's feedback on TripAdvisor that the Trail has been rated in the top 10% of attractions in the world. We're sharing this success across the Otago community and all the different groups involved to make it what it is... A top world class holiday experience!", said a spokesperson for the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust.

Anthony Longman, Head of Destination at Tourism Central Otago, was excited by the award and said that "the recognition of these two trails by TripAdvisor is a testament to the individual businesses and organisations along the trail that collaborate to ensure high-quality visitor experiences. This confirms that the Otago and specifically the Central Otago region is setting a benchmark for tourism collaboration and sustainable low-impact holidays".

TripAdvisor also acknowledged the achievements of the award recipients. 

“Congratulations to the 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winners,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “The travel resurgence we’ve seen throughout the past year has even further heightened the competition. Earning a Travellers’ Choice Award demonstrates that you have provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests. With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am continually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt. Cheers to another successful year!”