New industry group brings golf and tourism together

New industry group brings golf and tourism together

Tourism New Zealand has today confirmed an ongoing role for the industry advisory group, Golf Tourism New Zealand, to support the growth of high-value visitor arrivals.

Golf Tourism New Zealand (GTNZ) is made up of key players from the golf industry who first came together in April 2013 as part of the Golf Working Group.

Its structure has now been formalised along with its role as the primary liaison between Tourism New Zealand and the domestic golf industry.

Tourism New Zealand’s Director of Marketing Andrew Fraser says the group will provide business development and strategic oversight in the development regional golf clusters as Tourism New Zealand works to lift the current estimated annual expenditure by international "golf tourists" from $145 million to $223 million within three years.

“We are really pleased to announce the formation of Golf Tourism New Zealand and welcome Greg Turner, Peter Cutfield, Norm Thompson and Dean Murphy into the group.

“Over the past year, Tourism New Zealand and members of the industry have been working together to gain a greater understanding of the golf tourism opportunity, the challenges we face in realising this opportunity, and developing a strategic approach.

“This group were instrumental in developing that approach and will continue to play a key role in seeing it realised. They will provide the valuable insight, connection and the momentum needed to get the industry even further down the track to success.”

Tourism New Zealand has also contracted Ryan Brandeburg to act as a Golf Specialist for the 2015 financial year.

“Ryan will provide operational delivery of the Golf Tourism Strategy and will initiate, develop and promote ideas consistent with the growth of golf tourism in New Zealand. As the former Director of Golf at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, Ryan will bring invaluable knowledge and connection to the industry,” says Andrew.

Tourism New Zealand plans to invest up-to two million dollars over three years into promoting the special interest sector of “golf tourism” due to the number of high-value travellers it attracts and its strong potential for growth.

GTNZ spokesperson Greg Turner says: "We're pleased to be moving from a theoretical to an implementation phase. With Dean joining us and Ryan assuming a more formal role we can now really concentrate on both advancing the strategy and working with the key domestic stakeholders.”

GTNZ will co-ordinate with key industry stakeholders to promote regional development of golf facilities, assist the golf industry to better meet international travel standards and provide golf-related advice to the wider tourism industry.

Golf Tourism New Zealand:

Peter Cutfield: Recently retired corporate finance professional who founded a boutique corporate finance house in London 25 years ago. Its successor, Cutfield Freeman and Company still exists today. He is a former Captain at Royal Wellington GC and is one of the few New Zealand members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Dean Murphy: Chief Executive of New Zealand Golf. Prior to joining New Zealand Golf, Dean was employed in Sales and Marketing for Lion Nathan as a graduate and spent 10 years in London working in the tourism industry before returning to New Zealand to take up employment with New Zealand Golf. Dean is a passionate golfer and is most proud of achieving a hole in one on the Par 4 sixth hole at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club.

Norm Thompson: Recently retired from his role as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand. He is the immediate past Chairman of the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand, Deputy Chair of ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) and joined the Board of Tourism New Zealand in April 2014.

Greg Turner: A professional golfer for decades Greg is the principal of one of New Zealand's leading golf course design businesses. He has been a director of the Australian PGA and is a member of the Organising Committee of the NZ Open Championship.

Golf Specialist - Ryan Brandeburg: A Class "A" Member of the PGA and formerly the director of golf at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, two world top 100 courses located on the North Island. He has held a series of senior managerial and consultant roles in New Zealand and abroad, and is the author of two books aimed at educating young golf professionals.

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