Auckland, New Zealand: Tourism New Zealand has confirmed an on-going role for the industry advisory group, Golf Tourism New Zealand, to support the growth of high-value visitor arrivals.
Golf Tourism New Zealand (GTNZ) is made up of key players from the golf industry who first came together in April 2013 as part of the Golf Working Group.
Its structure has now been formalised along with its role as the primary liaison between Tourism New Zealand and the domestic golf industry.
Tourism New Zealand’s Director of Marketing Andrew Fraser says the group will provide business development and strategic oversight in the development of regional golf clusters as Tourism New Zealand works to lift the current estimated annual expenditure by international golf tourists from NZ$145 million to NZ$223 million within three years.
“We are really pleased to announce the formation of Golf Tourism New Zealand and welcome Greg Turner, Peter Cutfield, Norm Thompson and Dean Murphy into the group.
“Over the past year, Tourism New Zealand and members of the industry have been working together to gain a greater understanding of the golf tourism opportunity, the challenges we face in realising this opportunity, and developing a strategic approach.
“This group were instrumental in developing that approach and will continue to play a key role in seeing it realised. They will provide the valuable insight, connection and the momentum needed to get the industry even further down the track to success.”
Tourism New Zealand has also contracted Ryan Brandeburg to act as a Golf Specialist for the 2015 financial year.
“Ryan will provide operational delivery of the Golf Tourism Strategy and will initiate, develop and promote ideas consistent with the growth of golf tourism in New Zealand. As the former Director of Golf at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, Ryan will bring invaluable knowledge and connection to the industry,” said Fraser.
Tourism New Zealand plans to invest upto NZ$2 million over three years into promoting the special interest sector of golf tourism due to the number of high-value travellers it attracts and its strong potential for growth.
GTNZ spokesperson Turner said: “We’re pleased to be moving from a theoretical to an implementation phase. With Dean joining us and Ryan assuming a more formal role we can now really concentrate on both advancing the strategy and working with the key domestic stakeholders.”
GTNZ will co-ordinate with key industry stakeholders to promote regional development of golf facilities, assist the golf industry to better meet international travel standards and provide golf-related advice to the wider tourism industry.