Chairman appointed to Dunedin Visitor Strategy Steering Group

The Dunedin Visitor Strategy Steering Group has appointed a new chairman. Head of Department, Media, Film and Communication, formerly Professor of Tourism at Otago University Professor Geoff Kearsley, will be chairing the group as they work together to oversee the delivery of the Dunedin Visitor Strategy 2008-2015.

Professor Kearsley comments "I consider it to be an honour to be invited to chair this group which brings together the key agencies charged with delivering the Dunedin Visitor Strategy."

Membership of the strategy group consists of representatives from Tourism Dunedin, the Dunedin City Council and Dunedin Host. Dunedin Host represents the local tourist industry operators. Chairman of Dunedin Host, Dylan Rushbrook, says "We welcome the appointment of Professor Kearsley as chairman. The tourism industry is committed to working together to ensure the strategy is successfully implemented and having an independent chairman with a strong understanding of the sector will certainly help towards this goal."

Chairman of Tourism Dunedin, Barry Timmings, remarks "Professor Kearsley has been involved with tourism for many years and his background and links with Otago University will be invaluable in helping the group. We are very pleased to have a chairman with his experience join our team."

Visitor strategy group Council member John Bezett says "The Council is very committed to the implementation of the Dunedin Visitor Strategy. The visitor industry in Dunedin is responsible for 6% of Dunedin employment and 4.8% of Dunedin GDP. The strategy is helping us grow this sector and contributing to Dunedin's economic success. I am delighted that Professor Kearsley has come on board to help the group oversee the strategy."

The Dunedin Visitor Strategy 2008-2015 was adopted in July 2008. The strategy's vision for the visitor industry in Dunedin is By 2015, Dunedin will be New Zealand's premiere regional tourism destination for all visitors. They will be drawn to our unique wilderness, extensive heritage and cultural experiences, our hospitality, our passion for education and knowledge and our respect for the environment. Tourism will be a leading economic driver for the city and, as such, must be nurtured to maximise social and economic benefits.

Geoffrey Kearsley

Geoffrey Kearsley trained as a Geographer at the University of London and came to the Department of Geography at Otago University in 1975.

In 1989, he helped to set up a postgraduate Diploma in Tourism and in 1993 became the Director of the Centre for Tourism.

In 2000, he relinquished the post of Professor of Tourism and took up the position of Dean of Social Science and Dean of Education as well as acting as Dean of Research in the Division of Humanities. Currently Professor Kearsley is Head of the Department of Media, Film and Communication Studies.

Professor Kearsley's personal research interests are currently focused on the social impacts of tourism in natural environments, on the role of tourism in urban economic development and re-structuring and on tourism planning in general. He has close links with the Tourist industry at local, national and international levels and served as a member and chairman of Tourism Dunedin from its initiation until recently. In the past he has been a member of the Otago Regional Development Council, the Economic Development Committee of the Dunedin City Council and the Urban Affairs Committee of the Environmental Council. His current research is on rural depopulation and the role of new media in rural service provision, the implications of changing energy patterns and on the consequences of climate change.

Geoff has published extensively in the academic literature on a range of tourism and geographical themes, has written a regular newspaper column and broadcasts regularly on national and local radio and television.

Contact details

Contact DCC on 477 4000.

Last reviewed: 14 Aug 2009 12:16pm