Top hotel executive joins TIA board

Media Release

Top hotel executive joins Tourism Industry Association board

6 June 2008

The top New Zealand representative of Accor Hospitality, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, is to join the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) board of directors.

Paul Richardson, Vice President for New Zealand and Fiji, overseeing the operation of 34 hotels, has been co-opted to join the TIA board.

TIA Chairman Norm Thompson says Mr Richardson will be a valuable addition to the governance of TIA, which represents about 2000 businesses and organisations involved in New Zealand’s $18.6 billion tourism industry.

Accor’s brands in New Zealand include Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, All Seasons and Formule 1. The group is recognised as a leader in environmentally sustainable practices, Mr Thompson says.

“Bringing Paul Richardson to the board table will increase our industry representation. We now have a good spread of directors representing major corporate investors through to small owner-operated businesses,” he says.

“This broad range of industry experience and views will help ensure the views of the whole tourism industry are reflected as TIA enters a major phase of implementing the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 (NZTS 2015).”

Mr Richardson has over 20 years experience in the hospitality and travel industry. He spent 10 years with Starwood Hotels, where he held General Manager positions throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He joined Accor in 2005 and took up his current role in 2007.

TIA’s board of directors is elected annually by Members. The association’s constitution allows the board to co-opt additional directors with regard to the range of skills, and representation needed for its effective operation.

ENDS

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