Queenstown, New Zealand (12 July
2023) Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat
Woods has been appointed to the Board of Regional Tourism
New Zealand (RTNZ).
Mat will join the RTNZ Board
effective immediately and joins five other regional trustee
representatives; three from the North Island, two from the
South Island and an independent Chair.
Mat said he
was looking forward to working alongside other regions on
nationally significant issues.
“I am excited to
represent Queenstown, and all the South Island regions, at a
national level as well as contributing to a range of issues
facing the sector currently. The future of regional tourism
is strong, and this appointment provides an opportunity to
help shape the evolution of the visitor economy as we look
to deliver value to our communities socially, culturally,
environmentally and economically.”
RTNZ Chair, David
Perks, said he was looking forward to the contribution Mat
will make to the RTNZ Board.
“It is great to be
welcoming Mat onto the Board of RTNZ. Mat’s experience in
one of NZ’s premier visitor destinations, and part in
building the Queenstown Lakes regenerative tourism strategy
and Carbon Zero by 2030 goal, will bring great insight and
perspectives on the future of tourism in Aotearoa to our
Trustee team.”
Mat has strong governance experience
having previously been the Chair of Lake Wānaka Tourism as
well as currently being on the board of Snow Sports
NZ.
RTNZ is the peak body for Aotearoa New Zealand’s
Regional Tourism Organisations, which are each the
representative of the local government investment in the
tourism sector for their community. It is managed by an
independent chair and governed by a board of trustees. RTNZ
Trustees are elected by the membership network and are
elected for a three-year term and have the option to renew
their position for a further two
terms.