New manager for Lake Wanaka i-SITE

Lake Wanaka i-SITE has a new manager to run one of the country’s most successful i-SITE locations. Sarah Hobbs (33) has joined the Lake Wanaka team from a sport and recreation management background in Tauranga and brings strong business management skills to the roll.

“Sarah was a standout candidate,” said Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager, James Helmore. “It was clear from the start she has the ability to drive the business forward with her staff development skills and strong business acumen and she’ll be a great fit with the team.”

The Lake Wanaka i-SITE is a major contributor to the local economy and influencer of the local tourism industry. Ms Hobbs is tasked with taking the business forward, not only dealing with visitors walking through the front door but also using social media tools and working with local operators to influence visitors’ travel patterns, increase their length of stay and do more in the Lake Wanaka region.

Ms Hobbs said she was very much looking forward to this new opportunity and life in Lake Wanaka.

“Living in the world’s first protected lifestyle reserve makes me among one of the luckiest people on earth, I am very keen to get out there and experience Wanaka and its beautiful surroundings,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with the team at the Lake Wanaka i-SITE and building us up from a great team to an exceptional team using my experience in team development. I am also excited to be able to utilize my business acumen not only within the i-SITE business unit but to also offer any of our operators’ additional business support/advice.