What is the name of your business and where are you base

What is your role in the business? Leisure Sales Manager for HIlton Hotels New Zealand (Hilton Auckland, Hilton Lake Taupo, Hilton Queenstown, Hilton Lakeside Residences, Kawarau Hotel (managed by Hilton)

What got you into the tourism industry? I love to host people – got that from my parents. I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere and my parents loved to entertain often – and still do!

What’s your dream job? To travel the world and get paid to do so

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why I love to mountain bike. Hawkes Bay’s amazing bike trails (vineyard to vineyard) are next on my to do list, as is climbing the remaining 6 of 7 pearks, the highest mountains on each continent.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Two pieces – “always surround yourself with good people” and “one life, live it well”

How do you measure success? How happy are you?

What would you personally like to get out of YoungTEC? I am passionate about tourism and hospitality in New Zealand. This is a great industry with great people who I enjoy working with as a cohesive group of professional individuals. Young TEC is an opportunity to further key relationships and business opportunities.

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Director International Sales & Marketing for the Group

How long have you been in the tourism industry? 26 years

What got you into the tourism industry?Flexibility of work hours initially and then travel

What’s your dream job? Airline Pilot

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  What they don’t know, won’t hurt

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?  Bluff – wonder why?

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? Sheer beauty of the scenery, open spaces and the friendly and down to earth attitude of kiwis in general

What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Sales Manager

What got you into the tourism industry? Worked in F & B while studying Graphic Design and then by chance rediscovered the industry through enjoying living in beautiful destinations and gaining knowledge about the career possibilities in Hotels with my background in Sales and Marketing.

What’s your dream job? Working in tropical resorts globally in Business Development teams

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why Marlborough – food, fantastic wineries and the beautiful Marlborough Sounds

What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Follow your gut instincts and back yourself 100% in what you do, plus treat everyone with respect.

How do you measure success? Through having drive, passion and pride for your work and never settling for second best.

What would you personally like to get out of YoungTEC? A network of colleagues to bounce ideas off (and a glass of wine every now and then!) To help anyone entering the industy to feel comfortable networking and attending social functions for work.

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Director of International Sales for hotels. Also, being a newbie it seems it is my job to get lost at least once a day in this place! I need a GPS unit just to find where lunch is…

What got you into the tourism industry? When I was 15 and growing up in Dunedin the father of a friend owned Cobb & Co Restaurant and gave me my first job as a kitchen-hand. From that point I was hooked, got free dinners and hung out with all these University girls each night – what more could a 15 year old boy want?

What’s your dream job? Good question – the problem is my dreams keep changing as I change. 10 years ago the answer was to be a hotel GM, 5 years ago it would have been a Regional Manager of a hotel chain. Now I think it is to become CEO of a tourism related company here in New Zealand. Ask me in another 10 years… world domination (insert Dr Evil laugh here)!!

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why Wanaka hands down is my favourite place in New Zealand. Growing up in Dunedin I spent summer holidays there and every time I go back it has awesome memories for me. Whether it be winter or summer, Wanaka is amazing!

What’s the best advice you’ve been given? ” Don’t worry about what other people think of you – do what makes you happy and you can be proud of”. My grandma!

How do you measure success? By setting goals, measure results and smash them next time! Can apply to professional or pesonal life ie. visitor nights or time spent at the gym

What would you personally like to get out of YoungTEC? Making new connections and sharing ideas amongst ourselves and the wider industry. Some younger members of the industry are shy to put their views forward . If this forum helps bring some of those young people’s ideas forward and challenges the traditional way of doing things then it has to be good for us as an industry.

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Director of International Sales

What got you into the tourism industry? Started working part-time at my parents inbound tour operator business while still in school…and the rest is history really

What’s your dream job? Something that doesn’t feel liek it’s a job while visiting fascinating new places… and involves lots of good food.

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why Love Queenstown – no problem going back there again and again.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?  Dream a little!

How do you measure success? When I’ve accomplished everything on my little list!

What would you personally like to get out of YoungTEC? Meet with likeminded people and grown my networks

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? My role is NZ Operations Manager in charge of the NZ touring product. From daily nationwide operational level to higher product development input and some contracting of services, NZ cost centres etc. Mainly, champion the NZ product to bring more travellers to New Zealand

How long have you been in the tourism industry? For over 14 years in various roles, mainly management.

What got you into the tourism industry? Well it certainly wasn’t because of a desire for an easy life. Tourism is far from that with the hours required during season peaks! It was more the positive thought of being able to participate in a leisure industry rather than other product or services.

What’s your dream job? Formula 1 race car driver… speed, money, girls = happiness!

What’s something most people don’t know about you? Most people don’t know that the person I would most like to be is Apu from The Simpsons!

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why I am often travelling for work and many times through the Aorangi Mt Cook National Park region. I would love to just go there with my wife and 2 daughters for a nice long break to show them the awe-inspiring scenery. Then travel down the MacKenzie country during their usual dry & hot summer days,,, why? why wouldn’t ya!?

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?  Well I know it’s a cliche in NZ but you can’t escape the wonderful fact that in the South Island you can start your day in the morning overlooking a snowcapped mountain range, but by lunchtime you can be basking in oceanside warmth watching marine wildlife in the sun: whilst in the north you can be exploring a rainforest in west Auckland’s Waitakere ranges and yet 30 minutes away is the country’s thriving big city! As someone famous once said “there’s real purity in New Zealand that doesn’ exist in the States. It’s actually not an easy thing to find in the world anymore”. Elijah Wood 2003

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? International Marketing Manager

How long have you been in the tourism industry? I suppose it depends on how you clarify tourism as I’ve worked for the World of WearableArt on 7 New Zealand shows and 2 International shows. Essentially I have worked in travel trade for 18 months with NTT.

What got you into the tourism industry? A love for my region and country – as well as an addiction to travelling!

What’s your dream job?Full time beach babe complete with pina coladas, occassional volleyball game and a refreshing swim each hour.

What’s something most people don’t know about you? I was a semi professional rugby player in Asia for 3 seasons and I even had my own cereal box cards.

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why Fiordland – it’s on my bucket list as the final frontier in New Zealand. Once I’ve been there I can safely say I know New Zealand from top to bottom.

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?  The genuine, honest and friendly people – there is an absence of the need for fear of wariness as a traveller in New Zealand which is present when travelling in so many other countries.

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Owner operators

How long have you been in the tourism industry? Both beein in the industry since starting the company August 2007

What got you into the tourism industry? After leaving London and coming back to New Zealand, we wanted to participate in an industry that could help us showcase one of the most beautiful countries in the world!

What’s your dream job? The one we have!

What’s something most people don’t know about you? Our biggest love (after the business) is our golden retriever Bula!

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why We invariably holiday locally on the Coromandel Penisula as we are close to home and the Coromandel is a wonderful showcase of so many of the elements that make NZ the beautiful country it is.

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?  What we most often hear from clients when they return from road trips is “what an incredibly beautiful and diverse country NZ is, there is always something different just around the corner” so we think our answer has to be that!

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Founder and Managing Director

How long have you been in the tourism industry? I was appointed to my first role as a Travel Cadet in 1979

What got you into the tourism industry? While I was overseas my appreciation of New Zealand grew and I wanted a job where I could share this with international visitors

What’s your dream job? I’m living it!

What’s something most people don’t know about you? My first taste of hosted accommodation was working at Mount Eden Prison in the 80′s

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why The far north, where time doesn’t matter, the sun shines and the fishing is amazing!

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?  A combination of easily accessible, diverse, world class experiences, captialising on what nature has gifted us - all within a small area.

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Sales and Marketing Manager

How long have you been in the tourism industry? 13 years

What got you into the tourism industry? I came to ski in Queenstown, got a job and stayed

What’s your dream job? To take early retirement and work part time on a marketing consultancy basis

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  I have travelled to all continents and 70 countries, I can fly a plane and built a school in Borneo… you choose which one..

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?  Nelson Lakes – love the mountains and walking and not been there before

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? The scenery, the friendly people and the variety of activities and lifestyle available

What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Managing Director

How long have you been in the tourism industry? Longer than my chronological age appears

What got you into the tourism industry? By being a perennial tourist

What’s your dream job? Being a mystery shopper for Tourism New Zealand!

What’s something most people don’t know about you? I have a lovely daughter, Chelsea in primary school, and fortunate to have a devoted mother to help with childcare during the many nights I am on the road.

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why My own home! It’s where the heart is and there are so many tourism activities to keep the family and I busy.

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?  The warm hospitality of Kiwis is renowned to welcome visitors to enjoy the spectacular scenery and activities.

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What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? General Manager

How long have you been in the tourism industry? 13 years

What got you into the tourism industry? Nearly 8 years

What’s your dream job? Having grown up with The Tour Company (as GT was previously called) then General Travel all my life, I was determined to have a career in banking….well that just got boring and I realised my true calling was organising people and things! So I was going to move to events planning in Melbourne. Then the ‘lightbulb moment’ made me realise this is exactly what General Travel does and an amazing opportunity was there for me. So it took me a while to realise it (30 years) but this is my passion and my place in the world and I love it!

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  Cheesy I know but the job I really love what I’m doing now. Perhaps less hours and less stress would be good … yeah right!

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why? Nelson/Abel Tasman – I’ve not spent a lot of time there (especially Abel Tasman) and the short visits make me want to go back! I LOVE the Nelson markets at the weekends – best I’ve found in NZ so far!!

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?  The people followed closely by the variety of what we offer (both scenery and experiences). Everyone I speak to when travelling offshore talks about Kiwi hospitality and the friendly Kiwis – we have to protect and foster this as it really is one of our best selling points.

What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Director of International Sales and Brand Development.That means overseeing the sales function for all inbound leisure business while researching and contracting new hotels to join the Group.

How long have you been in the tourism industry? A few years longer than the average and 12 years with SHG

What got you into the tourism industry? A family contact and plus a growing love for “New Zealand” and travel

What’s your dream job? That’s a difficult one as my dreams are mostly made up of holidays!  Seriously, my perfect job, no matter what industry, would be one set within a positive go forward environment that provides challenge, new learning experiences, an inspirational innovative and fun team, is financially rewarding and most important has a long list of satisfied clients who love coming back.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  Well that would be telling!  I’ve lived in seven cities, used to be able to hit a golf ball OK, started running to stay fit at 16 and haven’t stopped!  My most recent interest is the gym!

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?  Having spent some of this indifferent summer in two of my favourite places – Whangamata and Langs Beach, my family crave a winter ski trip and Wanaka is again our pick this year.

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? The people, wide open spaces, unbeatable scenery, endless activity options and world-class food and wine.

What is your role in the business? General Manager

How long have you been in the tourism industry? 28 years – started part time industry age 14 years

What got you into the tourism industry? A love of boating (diving and fishing), telling stories and helping people have fun

What’s your dream job? Easy – this is it

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  I am ambidextrous – can do most things with both hands

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?  Marlborough Sounds – have never gotten around to really exploring them by boat

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? Our people (Kiwis love meeting new people, showing them around and showing them a good time) and our amazing variety and quality of natural resources in such a small package. Where else in the world where you can go from sand dunes, to rain forest, to desert, to volcanoes and mud pools, to spectacular mountains, ski fields, glaciers and rivers, to the sea and beautiful beaches, to dramatic fiords (and the list goes on)… in such close proximity – and that is not mentioning the wildlife!

What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Regional Manager

How long have you been in the tourism industry? 30 years

What got you into the tourism industry? As a young teen I played Irish music at festivals in Europe. I was fascinated with the people and cultures I was lucky enough to meet and engage with. I’d planned to do a fine art degree at Leeds poly but the travel bug got a hold of me. As circumstances turned out I ended up studying tourism management at St John College, Manchester…. and the rest is history.

What’s your dream job? Being Prince William

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  That I’m 6ft 3in

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?  Queenstown – I’ve never learnt to ski

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? It’s without doubt one of the greatest countries on earth. Spectacular in every way with genuine understanding and respect for it’s culture and history

What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Managing Director, Bus cleaner

How long have you been in the tourism industry? 11 years

What got you into the tourism industry? Passion for what New Zealand has to offer and self employment

What’s your dream job? Water taxi skipper in Abel Tasman on calm days only

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  I have a secret life as a farmer (not so secret now though)

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?  Here is Nelson as there is so much to do and see and being on my doorstep I don’t get time to enjoy it

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? Clean un-crowded golden sand beaches

What is the name of your business and where are you base?

What is your role in the business? Product sourcing manager, Acting AKL Office Manager

How long have you been in the tourism industry? 14 years

What got you into the tourism industry? To get paid to be in travel and be involved in holidays – even if it not mine

What’s your dream job? 3 month rotation of “new destination tester global” , “Large yacht experiencer”  “food and wine taster”  “3 months holiday”

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  Not telling, thats why they dont know it about me

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?  Great Barrier Isalnd

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? I dont, its one destination of many , people have a huge range of choices and the challenge for us in the Inbound tourism business, from operators to activity providers, accomodation suppliers and the Marketing people is to keep  the product fresh the service delivery at top level and accept that sometimes we are not the number 1 destination of choice for the whole planet !

What is the name of your business and where are you based?

What is your role in the business? I am the chairperson/spokesperson for the asscoiation

How long have you been in the tourism industry? I started in 1994, so 17 years now

What got you into the tourism industry? I was working as a translator and the company was asked to supply a guide for a 21 day tour. I thought it sounds interesting and did it. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end!

What’s your dream job? I would love to work in various places overseas promoting our beautiful country

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  When I came to NZ 31 years ago I started earning my living by hand knitting Aram jumpers for sale in souvenir shops

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why? I would love to stay in some of the small accommodation places in the Otago Rail Trail and explore the area

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination? Through the distance we are not that overrun with tourists. The absolutely beautiful landscape and the small and friendly population will attract tourists for years to come. We have the ability to prevent NZ from mass tourism and should focus on clients who value this.

What is your role in the business?
General Manager.

How long have you been in the tourism industry?
12 years – first job as Sales Consultant at Thomas Cook UK, selling their outbound European Cities product to the UK trade!

What got you into the tourism industry?
The hardest working man I have ever known (Dad!) gave me some good old-fashioned advice early on: get your foot in the door of a company with prospects, do right by people and work my way up! After getting a great grounding at Thomas Cook, I was totally hooked with all things tourism and have not looked back!

What’s your dream job?
I love the variety my current role presents every day – but I have to say the role of Her Majesty’s private secretary would be pretty interesting.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Probably my formidable talents in the field of Karaoke – I believe it’s the performance aspect that gives me the edge … that and my addiction to Yorkshire Tea.

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?
I’d love to go back to Southland and explore at a relaxed pace, preferably around for the Bluff Oyster Fest for some delicious wine and seafood, followed by some time-out on Stewart Island – probably the most peaceful and relaxing place I have ever visited.

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?
The diversity that New Zealand offers really is incredible – everything from great city breaks, stunning beaches, lakes, ski, mountains and rainforests … oh, and great wine. As an international destination, New Zealand has a depth that often isn’t appreciated until you experience it; ultimately I think it means we always blow away client expectations – for even the most seasoned traveller.

What is your role in the business?
Account Manager.

How long have you been in the tourism industry?
Mmmmm … nearly 20 years!

What got you into the tourism industry?
A love of travel. And that hasn’t ever died.

What’s your dream job?
Actually, volunteering around the world helping those less fortunate than ourselves.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a super-keen paddle-boarder.

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?
Lake Waikaremoana, so I can start ticking off the New Zealand Great Walks.

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?
Ultimately it’s the amazing and diverse scenery. And, of course, us friendly Kiwis!