Ex-captain top in tourism
A former captain in the New Zealand Navy with a thirst for expansion has been named New Zealand’s top emerging tourism leader.
Luke Taylor was in his 20s when he became Commanding Officer of the HMNZS Taupo, making him the youngest captain in the NZ Navy at the time.
After years patrolling in international waters, he loved working in New Zealand waters and the daily dives for a feed of crayfish or kina. He took his work-play balance with him into the commercial tourism industry, after 12 years in the navy.
‘‘I think it’s about having a career where it’s outside of the normal,’’ he said
‘‘I’m not locked up in an office. I’m out interacting with people . . . I enjoy the diversity of it.’’
A role as Queenstown operation manager at Real Journeys was followed by two years as general manager of Magic Memories in Australia, during a time of ‘‘exponential expansion’’. Now he is general manager of Go Orange, the adventure arm of Real Journeys, which has the Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort, three river rafting companies, Thunder Jet and the Milford and Doubtful Sound Cruises in its stable.
The 36-year-old leads of team of six direct reports and 250 adventure guides.
His vision for the future of Go Orange is to be an adventure ‘‘mega brand’’ in New Zealand — not just Queenstown, he said.
During his career he has continued studying, gaining a Masters degree and an MBA. ‘‘One key thing about leadership is you have to have a thirst for knowledge, understanding, developing and learning.’’
Tourism Holdings Ltd won the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards and the Auckland Airport Business Excellence Award – more than $6 million annual turnover.