Name: Doug Grant

Job Title: Senior Manager Cabin Crew

Previous Airline/Tourism Experience: Head of Contact Centre, Senior Manager Customer Care, and various other Senior Cabin Crew roles – with Air NZ for a total of 28 years

Connection to the Coast – a delighted visitor with a hunger for more

Current role: Regional Affairs Manager covering the 20 ports on our domestic network

Tourism experience: Previously CEO Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, GM City Events, Customer & Tourism for Hamilton City Council

Connection with the coast: Avid fan, roaming ambassador & best mate

Tracey Goodall has worked in the visitor industry for close to 20 years.

Currently GM at Great Journeys New Zealand managing a team who focuses on both Scenic and Commuter train experiences, including the TranzAlpine that brings visitors to the West Coast.   A passion for unique and customer centric experiences, launching new tours and packages to encourage visitors to travel our regions and encourage immersive experiences.    GJNZ new Classic and Signature tours, both spend time on the West Coast encouraging visitors to explore the region.

CEO OF SCENIC HOTEL GROUP SINCE JUNE 2021

Extensive hotel management and operational expertise. Former Vice President Operations New Zealand MCK and New Zealand Tourism Future’s Taskforce advisor, Karl continually advocates for greater understanding and appreciation of the real value tourism adds to New Zealand’s economic growth, job creation and positive international image.

Western South Island Region​
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai

Greg is an experienced member of the NZ tourism industry with over 25 years of experience. Proudly South Island born and bred, Greg grew up in Queenstown with a childhood centred around a family jetboat business which eventually led to him becoming a jetboat driver, and from there, his love for travel began. His experience has spanned several positions starting out as a Travel Director for Contiki, moving on to Trafalgar and AAT Kings. He is now a senior leader in The Travel Corporation’s Inbound Operations team

Paul’s passion for the great outdoors was ignited the first time he held a kayaking paddle in his hands. After a brief stint at Otago University, he enrolled in an Adventure Guiding and Outdoor Leadership course right here at Tai Poutini and has never looked back. Using the people within the business and key partners like Te Papa te Atawhai and Manawhenua, he plans to have Canopy Tours as a leader in biodiversity as well as being NZ’s most loved tourism brand.

Lynda is the Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ). TECNZ is a trade association advocating and representing the interests of inbound and international tourism industry businesses. Her experience with the West Coast visitor offering stems back to 1982 when she worked at the former THC Franz Josef Hotel and used to work as a glacier guide on days off. Over the decades Lynda has hosted many international visitors and tour groups enjoy what the West Coast has to offer.

John Gregory is a stalwart of the tourism industry.

He is recognized for his work in the inbound tour where he was a director of Pan Pacific Travel in Auckland and now Terra Nova Tours based in Christchurch. He has also been on the board for the Tourism Export Council and has been a mentor to many industry familiar faces.

John’s engagement with the coast is long-stemming as he has featured the coast on many itineraries for group travel and FIT.

Martin has been involved in Inbound Tourism in New Zealand (mostly) for 36 years. Martin initially worked for Newmans Tours in Christchurch and Auckland before returning to Christchurch to eventually manage the operations team at Tourism Holdings Ltd inbound division, brands such as Newmans, Horizon Holidays, Mt Cook Holidays and Ski Express. This is where the umbrella company of Southern World Vacations was formed in 1991.

Toko is the CEO of Te Ara Pounamu Ltd - Pounamu Pathway.  Working with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, and Development West Coast on the establishment of 4 visitor centre hubs on the West Coast.

Toko is also director of Tuia Group, a commercial law and business consulting firm focusing on the Māori economic development space. Toko’s career has largely been in the banking and energy sectors in New Zealand. Toko is currently a board director of TVNZ.

Julie was appointed Hospitality New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer in December 2019. Prior to this role, she served as the association’s Chief Operating Officer for 1.5 years. An experienced commercial leader, Julie has a Bachelor of Economics from Australia’s James Cook University and has held various leadership positions within high profile hospitality and tourism companies, such as InterContinental Hotels Group, EVENT Hospitality and Air New Zealand.

Andrew Morten is the founder of TravelEssence. Andrew was born in New Zealand and has been at the forefront of unique travel through Australia and New Zealand for almost 30 years. "TravelEssence gives you the chance to experience the Down Under I fell in love with as a wide-eyed and free-spirited child."

Andrew is recording a podcast about the essence of travel.

Caleb Hume-Moir is the founder and managing director of trans-Tasman communications consultancy, Mana Communications. A senior public relations specialist, Caleb has worked extensively across the British, North American and Asia-Pacific media markets. Caleb is particularly skilled in media strategy, traditional media relations, and crisis communications.

Gisela works at a national level to help ensure that tourism is beneficial for NZ’s communities and the environment. She led the creation of NZ’s first fully certified, zero carbon holiday itinerary in Nelson Tasman, and was named an “Eco-Luminary” of the Global Travel Industry by The Australian in 2021. Having owned her own business for 12 years, Gisela can relate well to the challenges and pressures facing small business owners.