Rotorua Tourism Committee members announced

ROTORUA 26.11.10: Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters has announced the names of appointees to the city’s new tourism committee, replacing the former tourism advisory board.

He said the tourism committee would work with the council and its tourism unit to help drive Rotorua’s international and domestic tourism marketing programme.

“It will mean a strengthened and more effective direct relationship between the visitor sector and the council,” said Mr Winters.

The tourism committee will be chaired by former Pacific Blue Airlines CEO Tony Marks who said the members were a diverse group of hugely talented people with a common passion for Rotorua.

The committee appointees are:

• Tony Marks, chairman (Auckland) – inaugural CEO Pacific Blue Airlines; former CEO Origin Pacific Airlines; former CEO Zespri; former commercial general manager Air New Zealand International
• Stewart Brown (Rotorua) – regional general manager Ngai Tahu Tourism, responsible for Rainbow Springs, Kiwi Encounter and Huka Falls Jet; vice president ITOC (Inbound Tour Operators Council)
• Marcus Keenan (Rotorua) – general manager Heritage Hotel Rotorua; chair of NZ Hotel Council Rotorua region
• Karl Johnstone (Rotorua) – general manager, New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute; former head of Maori & Indigenous Development, Waiariki Institute of Technology; former concept leader, Te Papa
• Elizabeth Valentine (Wellington) – chief executive ATTTO (Aviation, Tourism, Travel Training Organisation)
• Oscar Nathan (Rotorua) – principal director Renosc Group, director Waka Digital, director On Tourism/24 Seven Consultants

Mr Marks said there were 22 outstanding applicants from all around the country.

“The calibre of candidates was so impressive that in the end our selection panel agreed to make five committee member appointments rather than the previously proposed complement of four," said Mr Marks.

He said the new committee comprised a mix of skills that would be immensely valuable to Rotorua and to the city's tourism aspirations.

"They offer a potpourri of excellent local, national and international knowledge, strong industry and council relationships, strategic and marketing skills, and tourism sector experience. There is also a common recognition of the importance of our Maori culture to Rotorua's tourism marketing activities."

"I'm looking forward to working with the new committee so we can collectively provide guidance, advice and direction to the Rotorua District Council and help take Rotorua's tourism marketing programmes to an even higher level.

Mr Marks said Rotorua was already at the leading edge of tourism but he had no doubt there were many opportunities still available to further develop the sector.

"The council's bold decision to appoint a largely private sector tourism committee to work with them and their tourism department was innovative and deserving of credit. It signals the council's absolute commitment to an industry sector which holds significant potential for boosting the Rotorua economy.”

Rotorua District Council chief executive Peter Guerin said the committee would convene its first meeting in December.

“In the meantime the council will be appointing one district councillor to join the six private sector members making up the new tourism committee," Mr Guerin said.

ENDS

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