Kiwi to Head Niue Tourism Development Programme

Kiwi to Head Niue Tourism Development Programme

Auckland, New Zealand. 16 June 2010. The Chairman of the Niue Tourism Board; Hima Douglas has announced that Hayden Porter has been appointed to the position of Senior Tourism Development Manager to the Niue Tourism Board. “ Hayden is a highly regarded tourism industry professional that will steer our small nation through the next stages in the development of further tourism on the Island” Mr. Douglas said.

With a career committed to the hospitality and tourism sector over nearly two decades, Mr. Porter has held a number of senior management positions with some of New Zealand’s best brands. This includes his recent position as General Manager of Hotels for Galway Tourism Investment Group which manages the multi award winning hotels, Westin Lighter Quay Auckland, Holiday Inn Hotel Wellington and The Quadrant Hotel Auckland. Prior to that Mr. Porter held General Management and Sales and Marketing Management positions with some of our most highly regarded tourism products including Sky City and Hilton Auckland.

Mr. Porter has also been actively engaged in local infrastructure development including consulting and helping to bring together tourism and business on the Auckland Heart of the City ‘Little Big City’ campaign as well as his own Hotel and Tourism consulting firm, Fast Forward Consulting.

Mr. Porter and his family will head to the Pacific Island to take up the locally based post with a strong mandate to drive kiwi tourists to the destination which he describes as “idyllic in its purest sense.”

The newly established role is the result of a New Zealand Government fact- finding mission to determine sustainability opportunities for Niue. Following an in-depth report produced by former tourism boss, Trevor Hall, tourism is seen as offering the greatest economic potential for the nation. It is a joint initiative by the Niue and New Zealand Governments.

Describing his first experience of Niue as being one that “exceeded all expectations” Hayden believes that the un-spoilt beauty of the island coupled with a vast array of natural tourism encounters just waiting to be tapped, present exceptional potential to kiwi holidaymakers looking for an island holiday with a difference. From swimming with whales, caving, world class diving, fishing or just relaxing in a private swimming lagoon there is a huge amount on offer in Niue.

“There is a real sense of wanting to experience something different and kiwis have always had a close affinity with nature and natural wonders, especially the family market who can combine an exceptional natural learning experience with a remarkable tropical island holiday. It is an eco tourism or soft adventure paradise” says Mr. Porter.

Mr. Porter is confident that he can make a significant contribution toward creating a sustainable tourism infrastructure for Niue and at the same time presenting a highly desirable and viable new holiday offering to kiwis.

The island is serviced by once weekly direct Air New Zealand flights (Sat-Sat) which Mr. Porter describes as being perfectly suited to a one-week island escape that offers the ultimate winter tonic to kiwis. Air New Zealand has confirmed their commitment to the country with an Airbus A320 beginning service there from December which will increase current capacity by nearly 20%. “We also have talks underway with some inter-island mid week carriers, which will provide additional options for travelers wanting a multi-island Pacific holiday” says Porter.

Mr. Porter takes up his role in Auckland initially before heading to Niue at the end of the month. He will first focus on the arrival and departure experiences at the airport terminal building; which is currently being upgraded, expansion plans for the island’s Matavai Resort, redeveloping some new and exciting attractions on the Island and driving an awareness and branding campaign. Additionally, Mr. Porter has been meeting with community leaders in New Zealand and Niue this month to nurture the island’s charming and plentiful cultural talents, which will become and integral and highly regarded element within the tourism offering both in New Zealand and Niue.

Maybe its time to get there before too many people find out about this place!
www.niueisland.com

ENDS

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