Chair of Tourism Research Council announced
Tourism Board appointments and Chair of Tourism Research Council announced
Minister of Tourism Mark Burton
today announced the appointment of two new members to the
New Zealand Tourism Board (NZTB), Susan Johnstone and Paul
Bingham. The Minister also announced that Matthew Boyd and
Keith Johnson have been reappointed for a period of three
years.
Mark Burton also announced Lex Henry’s appointment to the position of Chair of the Tourism Research Council New Zealand (TRCNZ).
“The TRCNZ has a major set of challenges ahead of it coming years, particularly in enhancing the research base of the tourism sector,” said Mark Burton. “In recent years the Council, under the Chairmanship of Sean Murray, has made tremendous progress in terms of the generation and dissemination of tourism data and forecasts, and now we need to make similar advances with applied research.
“Lex Henry is very well placed to make a major contribution in this area. His experience in the accommodation sector and as a TNZ Board member, and his strong legal and financial sector background will be vital in advancing the Council's ambitious agenda.”
Mark Burton said he was very pleased with both the outstanding quality of Tourism Board nominations and the level of interest, both from stakeholder groups and the wider community.
“Paul Bingham, managing director of Black Cat Group and winner of the 2003 Supreme Tourism Award, brings a wealth of experience to the Tourism Board. Mr Bingham is also a member of the Tourism Research Council New Zealand, the Christchurch and Canterbury Marketing Board, and the Banks Peninsula Tourism and Economic Development Board. Previously, he has worked at Tourism Holdings Ltd and Air New Zealand, and his marketing expertise and detailed knowledge of the tourism sector makes him an ideal candidate.
“Susan Johnstone is a director of accountancy firm Shand Thomson Ltd, and was admitted as a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2001. Mrs Johnstone is currently Deputy Chair of Telford Rural Polytechnic and Director of the New Zealand Blood Service. Her already extensive Board experience and strong financial background will make her an excellent addition to the NZTB.
“Matthew Boyd’s reappointment means that the NZTB will retain his extensive strategic and brand development skills, as well as the excellent international relations skills he developed while working as Markets Director for Air New Zealand.
“Keith Johnson also contributes key strengths to the Board. As well as being a successful inbound tour operator and supplier, he is also a founding member of the Inbound Tour Operators Council of New Zealand and a member of a number of tourism industry Boards.
“The other continuing members of the Board are Wally Stone (Chair), Peter Stubbs (Deputy Chair), Mike Tamaki, Kathy Guy, and Sean Murray.
“This is a high calibre Board, and I know
that working with the talented Tourism New Zealand staff
they will ensure strong leadership on behalf of the whole of
New Zealand’s thriving tourism
industry.”