Former Bay of Plenty Tourism chief executive Kristin Dunne joins Miles Partnership.
Tourism in New Zealand and around the world is undergoing a major reset due to Covid-19 and is committed to “building back better.”
Miles Partnership in New Zealand has announced a strategic hire to help support this historic paradigm shift. From today, the former Bay of Plenty Tourism chief executive Kristin Dunne joins the firm in the role of director of destination strategy, bringing a wealth of internationally recognised expertise in destination management.
“Sustainability and destination management will underpin the role of New Zealand’s regional tourism offices and economic development agencies in the future,” global head of research and insights Chris Adams said. “We are so excited to have Kristin bringing her extensive knowledge in these areas to our team. It’s great to see this global shift in tourism – and the New Zealand government has recognised the importance of it with a future-focused destination management approach through its Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan.”
As Tourism Bay of Plenty CEO, Dunne led the development and implementation of a world-leading destination strategy (Te Hā Tapoi – The Love of Tourism) that uniquely included a focus on regeneration, community engagement and indigenous partnerships.
‘Go-to agency for Brand USA’
Dunne said: “Miles is the go-to agency for Brand USA and works with state tourism organisations from Hawaii to Florida and Alaska to Colorado.” When she heard Miles Partnership was planning to move further into the destination management space here and internationally, she realised they had a common goal.
“Helping tourism organisations in New Zealand and around the world make the necessary transformations is a once-in-a-career challenge – and opportunity. ‘Building back better’ means rethinking every part of tourism and balancing benefits for communities, the environment, visitors and local businesses.”
Miles Partnership commented on the wealth of knowledge Dunne is bringing to the organisation. “We know marketing is important, but managing destinations holistically is crucial and Kristin’s first-hand experience is really going to help,” Miles Partnership South Pacific general manager CA Clark said.
“We know … it is possible for tourism to work in harmony with communities, be respectful to the physical environment and actually leave a place better for not only residents, but future visitors, too.”
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
