Coughlan To Leave Tourism Industry Association

12 December 2000

Tourism Industry Association (TIA) Chairman Evan Davies announced today that Chief Executive Glenys Coughlan had resigned with effect from 31 March 2001. Mr Davies said that Ms Coughlan was moving on to another Chief Executive's position in the private sector. He said the Board had accepted her resignation with extreme reluctance.

"Glenys has given the tourism industry four years of outstanding service as head of the TIA. She has advocated tirelessly on behalf of the industry. As a result of her work, tourism is now seen as one of New Zealand's most dynamic industries. Glenys has played a key role in establishing the industry's credibility in the eyes of the New Zealand public through an increased media and public profile.

"She has been one of the driving forces behind the New Zealand Tourism Strategy (a partnership between industry and Government), currently underway, which will plot the future for the industry over the next decade or longer. We are grateful that Glenys has agreed to stay on to see the completion of the Strategy.

"Glenys has also built TIA into a strong team, which professionally manages the massive TRENZ trade show every year, the annual Tourism Awards, and the annual Tourism Conference. ?./more

"She has also built the Association's advocacy capability, ensuring that tourism's voice is heard frequently and effectively by key stakeholders in central and local Government, as well as elsewhere.

"We will miss Glenys' dynamism and energy and the Board wishes her well for the future." Mr Davies said that the Board had commenced the hunt for a new Chief Executive.

Ms Coughlan intends to retain strong links with the tourism industry, through her seat on the Te Papa and Asia 2000 Boards, and as a judge in the 2001 Tourism Awards.

Before joining TIA as Chief Executive in early 1997, Glenys Coughlan spent two years with Saatchi and Saatchi Wellington as group account director working on the Telecom account. She has a wealth of tourism industry experience, spending seven years with Air New Zealand in development and industry affairs, strategic planning, government and international affairs. She helped in the expansion of Rainbow Yacht Charters in North America in the mid-80's and was a tourism consultant and research executive with the McDermott Miller Group.

ENDS

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

Simon King MANAGER, GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA RELATIONS TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION NEW ZEALAND Level 4 79 Boulcott Street WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND PH: 04 494 1845 025 807 252 FAX: 04 4990827

The Tourism Industry Association represents 3,500 businesses and organisations within the tourism industry Members include airlines, airport companies, and regional tourism organisations, rental car, coach and taxi companies, inbound tour operators, travel agents, adventure tourism operators, accommodation providers, tourism attractions, researchers, training organisations and tourism services providers Tourism is New Zealand's largest export earner - accounting for 16 % of this country's export earnings The Tourism Industry Association organises the New Zealand Tourism Conference, TRENZ and the New Zealand Tourism Awards

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