New tourism chief named

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism has a new chief executive.

The regional tourism organisation has appointed Jason Dawson to lead tourism marketing and product development for the region. Dawson replaces outgoing chief executive Kiri Goulter who resigned in March after seven years at the helm.

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism chair Graeme Osborne said Dawson’s appointment represented a new era in promoting and developing Hamilton and the wider region as a visitor destination.

“We’re now well on target to grow annual visitor expenditure to $1.35 billion. We’ve expanded our role and have a tourism opportunity plan in place to help develop and drive new local tourism products. All up, it’s an exciting time for Jason to come on board,” Osborne said.

“He has terrific skills in terms of collaboration and building partnerships and will be a huge asset to a strong team.”

Dawson has more than 14 years’ experience in brand, engagement, communications and customer experience in New Zealand plus five years’ commercial experience in the United Kingdom. He was previously general manager customer relationships at Hamilton City Council where, among other roles, he was responsible for customer strategy and delivery including the i-Site visitor information centre.

Dawson is of Ngapuhi and Ngati Whatua descent and is currently completing his MBA. He will join Hamilton & Waikato Tourism in mid-August from his current role leading an external engagement strategy at Dairy NZ.

ENDS

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