The Queenstown Lakes District Council yesterday held an initial planning meeting to discuss a management plan to accommodate an anticipated influx of rugby fans in campervans.

"We know that campervan bookings have escalated for the period commencing June 18, right after the Lions rugby game in Christchurch," QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has issued research that puts the expected output from the DHL Lion Series, into the New Zealand economy, at $250 million. In excess of 8000 Lions fans were expected to visit New Zealand during the 11 match series.

"It's possible that we could see as many as 600 campervans visit Queenstown through until June 30, it makes good sense to ensure that we can offer adequate facilities for these visitors," Mr Field said.

Today's meeting included representation from the Council, the police and Destination Queenstown.

In addition to increasing the campervan patrols over the period, to ensure that the visitors were utilising the right facilities, the Council had pledged to undertake an education campaign with the local community.

"We are comfortable that we do not need to introduce additional facilities, and that what is available will be adequate to handle the extra influx but we also need to ask for a certain amount of tolerance from our local community," Mr Field said.

The visit should be seen as an opportunity to showcase Queenstown to the British market.

"Destination Queenstown will pick up the role of ensuring that the campervans will contain all the relevant camping and parking site information and maps, plus a request that drivers respect the local community's requirements in terms of avoiding campervan convoys, inappropriate parking or delays," Mr Field said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Duncan Field 03 441 0499

By: Tamah