New head for Destination Rotorua Marketing

Rotorua District Council has announced the appointment of Chris Destrieux as general manager of the council’s destination marketing department, Destination Rotorua Marketing (DRM), with effect from 25 July.

Council economic & regulatory services group manager Mark Rawson said Mr Destrieux would bring a fresh outsider’s perspective to the role.

“His significant tourism experience in airline, hospitality and rental car sectors, and his communications and journalism background, will prove immensely beneficial for marketing Rotorua’s new direction in the tourism sector, as well as promoting Rotorua as a destination to live, work and invest.”

Mr Destrieux was until recently national sales manager for Avis Budget Group and prior to that headed his own sales and marketing consultancy. He has also been director of sales and marketing for Sheraton Auckland (subsequently Langham Hotel), and has held senior marketing and operational roles for Air New Zealand in the airline’s Australia, South East Asia and Pacific markets.

Mr Rawson said the unique mix of general business management, change management, and sales and marketing background which Mr Destrieux brings to the role will be valuable for implementing Destination Rotorua Marketing’s recently developed business plan.

“This appointment is an important milestone in the change management process being undertaken at DRM at present and it coincides with a shift from the business planning and restructuring phase to the plan's implementation phase."

Rotorua Tourism Committee chair Tony Marks said Mr Destrieux’s skills set and experience matched what was needed to drive Destination Rotorua Marketing’s future direction.

“He certainly impresses with his passion for the tourism industry and his widespread knowledge, particularly in the key international markets we’ve identified as priority in our business plan. I’m delighted that Chris has been successful as I worked with him at Air New Zealand 15 years ago and I’m aware of his skills and dedication from that time.

"We’re very confident that he is the right man at the right time to head the marketing effort of Rotorua and to build on our city's reputation as a successful domestic and international tourism destination.”

Mark Rawson also paid tribute to the important role DRM’s acting general manager Tania Bui had played over recent months during the tourism business plan development phase and transition to the new structure for Destination Rotorua Marketing.

He said the department had been in very safe hands during this period and he was confident of a smooth transition as Ms Bui had agreed to remain available to assist Mr Destrieux during the handover.