Taupo's tourism maestro moves on

Destination Great Lake Taupo general manager Scott Pearson has resigned after being in the role for three years.

Announcing the resignation, chairman Paul Winter said he wanted to place on record some of Mr Pearson's key achievements.

"Scott played a pivotal role in developing and implementing a coherent Taupo district visitor industry strategy. His initiation and development of the Great Lake Taupo destination branding has had a noticeable impact on both the profile and visitor perceptions of this region."

Mr Winter said development of a new Great Lake Taupo website in August 2010 was a major challenge, which was now paying dividends with significant growth in visitor traffic and operator referrals from GreatLakeTaupo.com.

Establishing co-operative funding, where industry members matched funding from the Taupo District Council, was a standout change in promoting the region under Mr Pearson.

"The additional domestic marketing resources have allowed Great Lake Taupo to reassert its rightful place as one of the country's top leisure destinations".

Mr Pearson also paid tribute to the Destination Great Lake Taupo team, made up of the marketing office and the Taupo and Turangi i-SITES.

"The staff work long hours and into their weekends with a passion for the region. They're committed to working alongside the industry to grow our visitor industry."

After working on behalf of tourism operators nationally and regionally for the past 12 years, Mr Pearson now wants to start his own venture and thinks there may still be a role to play in tourism within his next challenge.

 

Destination Great Lake Taupo's efforts, in tandem with local operators, other visitor promotion agencies and a successful role in hosting the Rugby World Cup, has seen the first consistent period of commercial guest night growth for the region since 2005, despite the tough financial climate.

That said, Mr Winter acknowledges the industry is still facing very difficult times, compounded by the decline in traditional international visitor markets and a significant drop in visitor spend.

"The board and I wish Scott the best for his future endeavours. We will continue with the task of assisting Great Lake Taupo and its visitor industry to realise its full potential."