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Rotorua tourism head returning to private sector
Rotorua tourism head returning to private sector
Rotorua 06.05.11: Rotorua District Council’s tourism head Don Gunn is leaving the council to pursue private sector business opportunities after eight years as general manager of regional tourism organisation Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing.
Council chief executive Peter Guerin said Mr Gunn had played an invaluable and integral role in Rotorua’s tourism development over recent years.
“While Don believes the time is right to return to the commercial world we are pleased that his substantial tourism experience won’t be lost to Rotorua as he is planning to develop private sector tourism opportunities here.
“He has worked closely with the local tourism industry and the former tourism board, and more recently has played a vital role alongside the new Rotorua Tourism Committee in setting new directions for future tourism marketing of Rotorua.
Mr Gunn said he would be continuing to work with the tourism committee over the next month to help complete the new tourism strategy for the district.
“I’ve also agreed to stay on until after TRENZ in Queenstown later this month to front a strong coordinated presence for Rotorua at what is the country’s major tourism trade expo.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into the private sector but I intend staying in Rotorua and remaining a part of the city’s tourism business.
“I have a very firm belief that our city’s tourism future is a very positive one with a host of as yet untapped opportunities and I intend exploring some of those.
Peter Guerin said Mr Gunn had achieved many notable successes for Rotorua tourism including substantial growth in the district’s conference and incentive market and successfully building Australian inbound tourism business around the city’s trans-Tasman air services out of Sydney.
“Don has also represented Rotorua very well in the national arena with roles as chair of RTONZ (Regional Tourism Organisations NZ) and on the board of TIA (NZ Tourism Industry Association).
“He leaves us at the end of the month and we wish him every success in his new ventures.”
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