WellingtonNZ.com, New Zealand

07 June 2007

Positively Wellington Tourism has a new chairperson at the helm, and she’s no stranger to the industry. Glenys Coughlan has taken over the reigns from Philip Shewell, bringing with her a wealth of experience in tourism, corporate development, and brand marketing.

Glenys is also on the boards of both Tourism New Zealand and Te Papa, and has held several significant roles in the tourism industry. She has been CEO of the Tourism Industry Association, held several management roles at Air New Zealand, chaired the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Advisory Council and worked as a Group Account Director for Saatchi and Saatchi.

The appointment brings things full circle. Glenys was on the Board of Positively Wellington Tourism when it was established in 1995. She says the city has changed immensely since that time, and is now well and truly on the map as a visitor destination.

“At the time, there was a strong belief that Wellington could become a vibrant visitor destination, but there was no infrastructure to support it. We now have the likes of Te Papa and the Westpac Stadium, the airport has undergone a redevelopment, Parliament has been refurbished and the city has really come of age as a café and retail destination.”

Glenys says that filling Wellington’s hotels on weekends was a major focus for Positively Wellington Tourism from the outset. That focus remains unchanged, and the organisation has enjoyed much success in its domestic marketing programmes.

“The latest incarnation is the ‘Have a Love Affair with Wellington’ campaign, which has achieved excellent results. It’s great to see that while hotel capacity continues to increase, Wellington’s domestic visitor market also continues to grow.”

“It’s also a good time to be at the helm, given the release of the draft New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015. I'm hopeful that Positively Wellington Tourism can play a lead role in helping to shape the 'where to from here' for New Zealand tourism. If we can help New Zealand to get it right, then it makes our job of ensuring Wellington gets it right just that much easier.”

New also to the Board of Trustees is General Manager of Fly Buys, Peter Monk, and prominent Wellington caterer and fine food specialist Ruth Pretty. Nicki Stewart, one of the board’s longest standing members, has just finished her term.

Positively Wellington Tourism is a not-for-profit organisation charged with promoting Wellington as a visitor destination. Its board is appointed by Wellington City Council.