New hand on tourism helm
Tania Burt, who took up the Northland Inc role of General Manager Destination earlier this month, has been joined by Sarah Archer as her assistant, a role that will make good use of her tourism marketing experience.
The former manager of Clapham’s National Clock Museum in Whanga¯rei, and acting tourism and promotions manager at the Whanga¯rei District Council, will focus on organising and hosting trade and media visits and promoting Northland at trade and media events, as well as working on digital/social media campaigns.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team at Northland Inc to help get projects and visions over the line. And I’m looking forward to engaging with operators and the public to promote Northland to domestic and international visitors,” Ms Archer said.
Meanwhile trade marketing manager Karly Bent is leaving the Northland Inc team after four and a half years.
“I have enjoyed working with our Northland tourism operators and members of our hospitality and tourism sectors,” she said, adding that it had been exciting to watch visitor numbers grow every year.
Ms Burt, formerly the Waitangi Treaty Grounds’ business development manager, said the regional tourism industry had benefited immensely from what Ms Bent had achieved.
“We aim to continue on with this positive forward momentum to nurture and grow the visitor economy in Northland.
“I am looking forward to building a new destination team, and welcome Sarah’s experience and passion for Northland,” she said.
Vaughan Cooper, Northland Inc’s acting CEO, said the incoming team had an exciting mix of skills and experience.
“This is essential, as the Destination function encompasses promoting Northland to tourists, investors and people who want to live here, as well as working with partners and stakeholders on infrastructure and product development,” he said.
“Karly has been with the team for four and a half years, and is looking forward to taking a break from travelling to spend some quality time with her family. I want to thank her for the dedication and commitment she has given the organisation over this period, as well as stepping up over the last few months as acting GM Destination and Tourism.
“Tourism continues to be one of the best-performing sectors in Northland, and highlights the importance of the work we do with iwi, government, industry and other key partners to target interventions in product and destination development and management.”