Stephen Hamilton

Managing Partner, Auckland, New Zealand

Stephen jointly established the specialist tourism and leisure consulting practice, Horwath HTL (formerly Horwath Asia Pacific Limited) in 2002. With thirty years consulting experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Stephen has also undertaken engagements in Australia, Fiji and the Cook Islands.


Bio

Stephen Hamilton is the Managing Partner of Horwath HTL in Auckland, New Zealand, and a co-founder of the specialist tourism and leisure consulting practice established in 2002. With over 30 years of consulting experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Stephen has also undertaken significant projects across Australia, Fiji, and the Cook Islands. His extensive industry knowledge and practical approach provide clients with valuable insights and solutions tailored to their unique challenges.

Stephen works with a diverse range of stakeholders, including lenders, investors, funding sponsors, and developers, across both public and private sectors. His expertise lies in identifying the financial and market analysis or research most beneficial for advancing projects and supporting informed decision-making. His ability to quickly and accurately assess complex scenarios makes him a trusted advisor for clients navigating the dynamic tourism and leisure landscape.

His service offerings encompass a broad range of consulting disciplines, including market demand analysis, financial feasibility studies, market research, economic impact assessments, and strategy development. These services are designed to provide clients with actionable data and strategies to optimise their operations and investment outcomes.

Stephen’s deep understanding of New Zealand’s tourism sector, combined with his regional experience and strategic perspective, ensures a balanced and pragmatic approach to every engagement. His dedication to delivering quality information and solutions has cemented his reputation as a leading figure in tourism consulting throughout New Zealand and the Pacific.

Expert insights

Cutting edge analysis.

Report

New Zealand Hotels Performance Focus

In August 2023, Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) for New Zealand hotels increased by 14% compared to August 2019 and 24% compared to August 2022, according to Hotel Data New Zealand (HDNZ). This rise was significantly influenced by the FIFA Women’s World Cup, especially in Auckland and Wellington, which hosted seven matches during the first two weeks of the month. Additionally, good snowfall in August bolstered accommodation demand in major ski areas like the Queenstown Lakes District.

Stephen Hamilton
Stephen Hamilton
Managing Partner, New Zealand
Report

New Zealand Hotels & Chains Report 2023

The 2023 edition of the New Zealand Hotels & Chains Report offers a detailed analysis of the hospitality sector in New Zealand, focusing on the performance, distribution, and future development of hotel chains across the country. Drawing on data from New Zealand’s accommodation programmes (ADP and HDNZ), as well as from STR and our database, Horwath HTL presents this overview of 662 New Zealand accommodation properties, including hotels, serviced apartments, lodges and other boutique accommodation comprising almost 42,000 guest rooms. The most comprehensive data set reporting on the country’s occupancies and Average Daily Rates (ADR) is from Hotel Data New Zealand (HDNZ), which includes circa 24,874 rooms across 214 of the country’s major hotels and serviced apartments, or 61% of the room supply within its category.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand
Report

New Zealand Hotel Market 2019

New Zealand’s hotel industry has experienced significant growth in revenue and profitability. However, the outlook for continued improvement in 2019 and beyond is uncertain due to fluctuating growth rates and changing market dynamics. Understanding the market is essential for current and future hotel industry investors.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand
Report

Laporan Jaringan Hotel & Hotel Asia Pasifik 2018

Kami dengan senang hati mengumumkan versi terbaru dari publikasi kami yang paling populer, Laporan Jaringan dan Hotel. 11 pasar utama di Asia Pasifik disorot, meneliti hubungan antara hotel-hotel bermerek dan hotel-hotel independen. Siapa yang memiliki merek paling sukses? Siapa yang tumbuh paling cepat? Pasar mana yang memiliki jumlah hotel paling sedikit yang terhubung dengan sebuah merek? Siapa yang paling banyak? Kawasan Asia Pasifik telah mengalami pertumbuhan yang signifikan di sektor perhotelan, dengan jaringan hotel yang memainkan peran utama. Laporan ini menawarkan analisis komprehensif mengenai pasar hotel jaringan di negara-negara utama Asia Pasifik, menyoroti dominasi merek internasional, tingkat penetrasi pasar, dan tren yang membentuk industri ini.

Robert Hecker
Robert Hecker
Managing Director, Singapore