The representatives will be part of a six-person sub-committee of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s (ATEED) Board, which is a key part of the governance arrangements for the Accommodation Providers Targeted Rate implemented by Auckland Council last year.
They are:
• Troy Clarry, Owner/Operator Whangaparaoa Lodge
• Paul Columbus, General Manager, Novotel Auckland Airport
• Tim Pollock, Area General Manager Intercontinental Hotel Group NZ, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Auckland.
There was strong interest in the roles from the accommodation sector. The three were selected through a public appointment process run by ATEED and Council, which included interviews with a five-person panel, and final endorsement by the ATEED Board.
Last December, the Governing Body asked ATEED to establish the Destination Committee by the end of June this year, and to ensure proportional representation on the sub-committee for the accommodation providers which pay the targeted rate to Council.
The Destination Committee will operate from 1 July. It will oversee the activities ATEED delivers alongside partners to grow the region’s $8 billion a year visitor economy.
Establishing the Destination Committee is an important step in strengthening the partnership between ATEED and the private sector, and putting a stronger accountability framework in place.
Through the APTR, which has been collected by Council since 1 July 2017, qualifying commercial accommodation providers across Auckland fund half of ATEED’s expenditure on visitor attraction, and major events delivery and investment – which is budgeted to cost about $26 million in 2018/19.