Stephen Hamilton

Director, 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 founding partner of Horwath HTL in Auckland, New Zealand, 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 Hotel Performance Focus August 2025

Positive news for hotel owners and operators: In August, RevPAR showed a welcome increase, along with the first year-on-year monthly rise in occupancy for 2025.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand
Report

New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus July 2025

While some hotel markets celebrated their best July in years, others faced a significant drop in demand. Find out which factors separated the leaders from the laggards in our latest hotel performance review.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand
Report

New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus June 2025

Uncover the current landscape of New Zealand’s hotel sector with our latest report, covering the month of June and the first six months of 2025. From international visitor arrival and occupancy trends to RevPAR changes, find out which regions are thriving and which are struggling in today’s market.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand
Report

New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus May 2025

Discover how Queenstown, Rotorua, and the luxury hotel segment are defying national trends and delivering standout results in an otherwise challenging May for New Zealand’s hotel sector.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand
Report

New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus April 2025

April 2025 saw New Zealand hotels achieve a 2.9% RevPAR increase, with regional destinations thriving thanks to an uplift in Australian visitors and extended holiday demand.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand
Report

New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus March 2025

During March, New Zealand hotels’ RevPAR declined by 5.5%, with Auckland and Wellington experiencing double-digit declines. Queenstown recorded another strong month. In addition to our usual market insights, we have expanded this month’s analysis to explore how supply growth and shifting consumer preferences have impacted Auckland hotels across the 3-star to 5-star segments.

Wim Ruepert
Wim Ruepert
Director, New Zealand