Course organiser:Murray Compton
29 May:
James Urquhart on 'Developing Tourist Attractions: 'James is the General Manager at Mount Hutt Ski Field and has extensive experience in the development of tourism activities.
The demand for activities for both international and domestic visitors places real pressures on developers. NZSki has been at the forefront of skifield and related developments in New Zealand and now has a very substantial investment in the tourism industry. James will be giving an overview of Mt Hutt and its impact on tourism.
5 Jun:
Scott Callaway on 'Manager South – Christchurch Airport: 'Scott has had an extensive career in tourism and has recently joined the Christchurch Airport management team as Manager of “South”.
The Airport is the main entry point for inbound tourism to the South Island. The establishment of “South” responds to the need to encourage visitors to the South Island. This means that there must be ongoing development of new markets and the strengthening of existing sources of visitors. Scott will be concentrating his presentation on emerging markets, particularly China.
12 Jun:
Michael and Thomas Patterson on 'The Copthorne Commodore: 'Michael and Thomas Patterson have kindly agreed to speak in the absence of their father, Tom, who will be overseas. Michael, as General Manager, and Thomas, as Assistant Manager, are well-equipped to provide a fascinating story of the challenges which faced the family.
The highly respected Copthorne Commodore has evolved from an alliance between the Wards from the Stonehurst Hotel and the Pattersons from the Milky Way milk bar. It opened on Christmas Day 1971 with 24 rooms and now boasts 160 guest rooms and 7 function rooms, together with an indoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, gymnasium and tennis court. These impressive facilities, together with the award-winning gardens, have been made possible by 42 years of continual reinvestment in the hotel
19 Jun:
Delwyn Sinclair on 'Outbound Travel: 'Dalwyn Sinclair is the Managing Director of House of Travel Upper Riccarton. He entered the travel industry as a domestic consultant for Union Travel in Oamaru and joined House of Travel in Christchurch in 1990, becoming a shareholder and Director in 2005.
Outbound travel is obviously of great interest to a group such as U3A. We have been fortunate to have Dalwyn talk to us on such matters as where Kiwis are travelling to, favourite destinations, new and emerging destinations, the changing styles of travel, the role of the travel agent and technology.
26 Jun:
Caroline Blanchfield on 'Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism: 'Caroline is well able to talk to us on tourism as she has a dual management role in both Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism and the Convention Bureau.
Caroline will address the roles of both Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism and the Convention Bureau in the development of tourism in our region plus comments on a regional tourism office, Tourism New Zealand and I-site, as well as what we should focus on in the recovery plan for tourism in the region.