Tourism Central Otago’s tourism advisory board met on Friday last week, where it said farewell to Sue Sullivan and David Ritchie who will step down at the end of their two-year term and also welcomed two new members.

Existing board member Mark Frood steps into the role of chair with Karen Jefferson and Shayne Forrest being the successful applicants to fill the vacant seats when the board enters its next term on 1 July. 

Karen is a director/ owner of Ahipara Luxury Travel, and lives at Lauderdale in Central Otago. She brings to the advisory board a depth of knowledge and understanding of high-net-worth visitors. 

She is a passionate advocate for smart destination management and ensuring that tourism into the future is developed in a sustainable and environmentally positive way.

Shayne grew up and was educated in Alexandra, frequently returning to visit family who still live here. 

He is currently the Deputy Chief Executive and General Manager Marketing and Commercial for Hobbiton Movie Set Tours. Shayne is highly regarded in the New Zealand tourism industry, having received the New Zealand Tourism Award for Emerging Tourism Leader in 2017. 

He brings to the board a broad understanding of tourism markets through both fast paced growth and rebuilding phases, together with a proven career pathway to become a young leader in the tourism sector.

General Manager of Tourism Central Otago Dylan Rushbrook says he had reflected on the establishment and first term of the Tourism Advisory Board and could say with confidence that “Tourism Central Otago has benefitted significantly from the knowledge, skills and networks of all the foundation advisory board members”.

“We are sad to farewell both Sue, who was our chairperson, and David,” Dylan says. 

“We thank them sincerely for all they have contributed over the last two years – particularly as we dealt with the impacts and rapidly changing face of tourism in the wake of COVD-19,” said Dylan.

“The timing is perfect for welcoming both Karen and Shayne onto the board. 

“The skills they bring complement the sitting members as we move forward with significant strategic projects, in particular a focus on destination management and what that means for Central Otago, and also what we can be doing to inspire young people to follow career pathways into the tourism sector.

“Ensuring we have a strong environmentally appropriate and sustainable industry with a stable workforce, and that our tourism offering is aligned with our community aspirations, are the things that our board members know are key focus areas for tourism in Central Otago.”

The Central Otago Tourism Advisory Board members from 1 July 2021 are:

• Mark Frood (Chair)
• Mayor Tim Cadogan (CODC nominated representative)
• Dr Susan Houge Mackenzie
• Rudi Bauer
• Shayne Forrest
• Karen Jefferson

The advisory board meets quarterly with the next meeting scheduled to be held late September/early October during the annual Eat.Taste.Central campaign