Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
New developments at Aoraki Mount Cook
Media release from Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village Ltd
7 May 2009
Kiwi tourism operator announces new developments at Aoraki Mount Cook
Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village Ltd today (7 May) announced an exciting new direction for the company’s business interests in the Aoraki Mount Cook Village.
Chairman John Davies said Denis Callesen, longstanding General Manager of the iconic Hermitage Hotel, would take up the newly created role of General Manager of Tourism for the company. Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Village Limited currently owns The Hermitage Hotel, Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (planetarium, 3D movie, museum and stargazing), Glacier Explorers, Alpine Guides Trekking, and Aoraki Mount Cook Airport.
A new hotel General Manager will be appointed to continue business growth and development in domestic and international markets. The hotel has seen a significant market shift from group tours to more Kiwis and international independent travellers in the past year.
Mr Callesen will be responsible for the business development of the company’s new and existing tourism activities in the Mount Cook area, including the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, Glacier Explorers, trekking, and stargazing.
“Denis was the visionary and driving force behind the company’s $10million Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre,” said Mr Davies. “We’ve had tremendously positive customer feedback and Denis has similarly fantastic ideas in the pipeline.”
“It’s his passion, drive and a long history of developing tourism products in national parks that led us to develop the new role.”
Mr Davies said that the company recognised that developing new products would encourage people to stay longer which, in turn, would benefit the hotel.
“The region must have a suite of world class activities and Denis is the person to make that happen,” said Mr Davies.
“It also provides us with an exciting opportunity to have two dynamic forward thinking managers at the helm who will focus on developing both the hotel and tourism areas of our operations.”
During his 15 years as General Manager at Aoraki Mount Cook, Mr Callesen has managed several major Aoraki Mount Cook developments, including the 2001 addition of the 60-room Aoraki Wing to The Hermitage.
The new hotel general manager is expected to be announced by spring 2009.
ENDS
Business Canterbury: Urges Council To Cut Costs, Not Ambition For City
Wellington Airport: On Track For Net Zero Emissions By 2028
Landcare Research: ANZAC Gall Fly Release Promises Natural Solution To Weed Threat
NZ Anti-Vivisection Society: Auckland Rat Lovers Unite!
University of Canterbury: $1.35 Million Grant To Study Lion-like Jumping Spiders
Federated Farmers: Government Ends War On Farming
