DESTINATION WAIRARAPA BOSS TO STEP DOWN

After eight years in charge of the region’s tourism organisation, Destination Wairarapa, David Hancock is stepping down.

The announcement follows the recent signing off of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the three District Councils which ensures funding for Destination Wairarapa through to 2022.

Within that agreement is a review of what Destination Wairarapa deliver as a Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO).

“I’m very proud of where Destination Wairarapa has come from and sits now over my eight years as General Manager,” Mr Hancock says.

“With the position that the organisation is now in, it is an excellent time for someone else to take over.”

Mr Hancock says the tourism sector is a significant contributor to the local economy, with tourism related spend in Wairarapa nearly $195 million for the year ending June 2019.

“As an organisation Destination Wairarapa is performing very strongly, playing a key role in promoting and marketing the Wairarapa region.”

“A good demonstration of this is that while Wairarapa ranks 24th in terms of funding of the 30 RTOs in the country, our website performance in unique visitors and pages visited ranks 12th.

“This reflects well on the skill level of the team and how they promote the region and drive people to learn more about spending time in the Wairarapa.”

Destination Wairarapa board chair Robin Dunlop says Mr Hancock has a done a tremendous job, leading the organisation through a strong period of growth.

“Under David’s leadership Destination Wairarapa has become a well-regarded and very effective RTO. The Board will be very sad to see him go,” Dr Dunlop says.

Mr Hancock’s last day will be on December 20.

ENDS

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