New Directors Bring Range Of Skills To TNZ Board

MEDIA RELEASE

14 August 2000

NEW DIRECTORS BRING RANGE OF SKILLS TO TNZ BOARD

The announcement of four new directors to the Board of Tourism New Zealand demonstrates a commitment to bring a broad range of skills to the Board of Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Industry Association Chief Executive Glenys Coughlan said today.

The four new directors have replaced industry leaders Jim McCrea, Jim Boult, Mike Simm and ex- Treasury Secretary Dr Murrary Horn.

The new appointments to Tourism New Zealand occur at a time when the respective roles of Government and industry in the tourism sector are under review. At the Tourism Industry Association's Conference in Wellington last week, the Prime Minister announced that Mr Evan Davies Chairman of the Tourism Industry Association and Managing Director of Sky City Ltd would chair a new group to guide the development of an overall strategy for New Zealand tourism.

"We are delighted that Government has recognised that it is the businesses in tourism that drives the business of tourism in the formation of the strategy group," Ms Coughlan said

Glenys Coughlan welcomed the new TNZ directors, saying they had a exciting and challenging time ahead.

"With recent growth of the tourism industry, the new directors of Tourism New Zealand have joined the Board at a time where the Board is facing exciting opportunities, but also some key challenges.

"The amount of advertising and promotion that the TNZ budget can buy with the current exchange rate, means that the cost of selling New Zealand overseas has increased substantially, " Ms Coughlan said.

The appointments to the Board of Tourism New Zealand occur just days after the Tourism Industry Association has announced newly elected directors to it's Board.

Ms Coughlan said TIA was pleased to be welcoming people of the calibre of Jim Boult (MD Shotover Jet) and John Moriarty (Group General Manager - Marketing for Tranz Rail) to the TIA Board.

Tourism Minister Mark Burton announced four new directors to the TNZ Board today - Keith Johnson, Mathew Boyd, Liz Tennet and Lex Henry.

Retiring TNZ Board members Jim McCrea and Mr Simm were honoured at Friday night's tourism awards. Mr McCrea won the Sir Jack Newman award for services to tourism and Mr Simm's company Fullers Northland won the Supreme Award.

ENDS More information: Simon King, (04) 494 1845, (025) 807 252

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