Tourism Central Otago
Tourism Central Otago (TCO) is the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) for Central Otago, our role is to coordinate and facilitate the management and marketing of Central Otago as a visitor destination for the benefit of our communities.
This work is guided by the Central Otago Destination Management Plan (DMP), which outlines the aspiration of our communities and mana whenua for how tourism can enrich our communities outcomes.
Central Otago District Council continues to invest in Destination Management and Marketing activity to ensure that the visitor industry is developed, managed and promoted in a way that protects the things that matter most to the communities of the region and some of these things are non-negotiable - the wide-open spaces, the essential character of small towns, the place of mana whenua, the freedoms that locals enjoy and that they are willing to share with visitors.
Without accepting and committing to these outcomes and being prepared to meet the real costs of ‘getting there’ the development of tourism will not be acceptable, sustainable, or viable.
Function of Tourism Central Otago include:
- Co-ordinate and facilitate destination management activities to ensure that tourism serves our communities, rather than our communities serving tourism.
- Market and promote Central Otago as a visitor destination, both domestically and internationally. We are responsible for ensuring the region’s unique selling points and destination strengths are presented authentically and without bias.
- Is an advocate and a voice for the Central Otago visitor economy at a local, regional and national level, and to work in partnership with agencies such as Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Industry Aotearoa, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Regional Tourism New Zealand, Travel Inbound, Wholesalers, and others for the wider benefit of the region.
- Ensure adherence to the principles and strategic guidelines of the ‘Central Otago, A World of Difference’ regional values, Central Otago Destination Management Plan, and District Vision
- Provide support to local tourism operators for marketing advice, training and upskilling opportunities and industry insights.
- Manage the delivery of visitor information services in Ranfurly and Roxburgh.
Introducing the TCO Team
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Head of Destination, Anthony (Antz) Longman
As Head of Destination for Tourism Central Otago Antz oversees the management of the Regional Tourism Organisation, building relationships and partnerships with local and national businesses and organisations to help ensure the visitor economy enriches Central Otago, and aligns to long-term community aspirations outlined in the Central Otago Destination Management Plan.
When Antz isn’t in the office, you will be most likely to find him enjoying time with his young family, up a hill on a mountain bike or on foot, or floating on a river in a kayak. Together with family he also manages an annual ‘mountain marathon’ event and it is safe to say he is the team’s outdoors pursuits expert.
E: anthony.longman@codc.govt.nz
M: +64 21 721 770
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PR & Media Marketing, Alison (Ali) Mason
Ali will likely say that it was bringing up her three son’s that gave her the skills to extract information that is key for telling the whole story. She is the person who likes to know the stories behind the people, place and experiences. Ali's career history involves, hospitality, airline operations, marketing, community relations and conservation. She has been with the TCO team for some years now, and has consequently developed a network of media who know they can confidently reach out to get the most up to date information and / or unique people based back stories.
TCO's PR and media programme is all about increasing the profile of Central Otago utilising the most appropriate media platforms to reach the intended audience. The programme is developed to ensure that editorial and stories about this region are authentic, relevant and showcase the true diversity of Central Otago’s people and place. TCO proactively provides resources that meet the research needs of travel writers, journalists, influencers and broadcast media, both domestic and international.
She works with Tourism New Zealand’s media team as well as directly with New Zealand and Australian based media. If you want to be involved with the regions media programme talk to Ali.
M: +64 27 432 0689
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Business Events, Trade & Consumer Marketing, Andrea Lauder
It’s hard to say Central Otago without adding Pinot Noir! Andrea is TCO’s resident wine enthusiast. Her background pre joining the team includes 10 years working with Central Otago Pinot Noir Ltd, the marketing arm of the Central Otago Winegrowers Association, profiling their fabulous wines to international markets. She also has extensive experience in the tourism sector having managed two key Information Centres in Queenstown and working in the corporate office of Shotover Jet Ltd.
Her current role brings her incredible highly respected relationship building skills together with her extensive knowledge about Central Otago to sell the region's visitor experiences through the channels of business events, travel trade and consumer campaigns and events. She works closely with Tourism New Zealand’s trade and marketing teams, travel inbound and travel wholesalers.Contact Andrea for information about business events, trade-ready accommodation and activities in Central Otago.
E: andrea.lauder@codc.govt.nzM: +64 27 597 8444
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Destination Coordinator, Jenny Worth
Jenny is the glue that keeps the TCO team going! Not only does she manage being a busy mum to her two kids, she ensures that all those tricky small details get dealt with before they need to be.
Between coordinating the advisory board meetings and ensuring essential admin jobs are done on time, she also provides support for COBE (Central Otago Business Events) and steps in wherever and whenever required across the team.
She is the go-to person for her knowledge of Central Otago visitor products having been the Alexandra i-SITE team leader for 10 years prior to coming across to the TCO team and is always keen to get out and about to learn more.
Contact Jenny with any enquiry and she will either already have the answer or can connect you appropriately.
M: +64 22 010 5850
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Trails Marketing Executive, Geoff Marks
Geoff has 25-years sales and marketing experience from the tourism and technology sectors. He's held senior sales management roles with international technology companies such as Oracle and SAP in Auckland before moving to Wanaka where he held the position of Business Development Executive at Lake Wanaka Tourism for 10 years. More recently, Geoff has provided business strategy support to Development West Coast and Tairāwhiti Gisborne on their domestic marketing plans and developed the strategic plan for WAI Wanaka’s $3M Jobs for Nature project.
As well as an accomplished sales and marketing professional, Geoff has extensive expertise in delivering business enablement, capability building and education programmes for tourism operators, to help support business performance and success.
Geoff also has a keen and active interest in environmental and conservation projects, having been a Director for Wanaka Wastebusters - a social enterprise advocating for zero waste - and is currently a trustee for the Matukituki Charitable Trust which runs an extensive predator control programme in Mount Aspiring National Park.
In his spare time - when he's not pulling dead possums and stoats out of traps - Geoff is a keen cyclist, mountain biker, tramper, skier and photographer.
M: +64 21 437 441
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Digital & Content Advisor, Morgan Potter
Morgan has stepped up within the team to take on the role of Digital & Content Advisor. She is excited to be supporting the TCO team in digital marketing activations, including social media, website content development, operator communications, graphic design and content creation.
Morgan is currently following her passion of digital marketing and is undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Digital Marketing (Level 7) at New Zealand Institute of Education (NZIE) while working in the role of Digital & Content Advisor for TCO.
Outside of work, Morgan volunteers for a local theatre company doing marketing, graphic design, promotions and costumes. She also shares her incredible musical talent through performing on stage in musical theatre shows and concerts. When it's not show-season she enjoys spending time with her friends taking in the beautiful insta-worthy views of Central Otago.
M: +64 21 786 481
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isite Team Leader - Shirley Clark
Shirley runs a tight ship at Māniatoto Ranfurly isite Visitor Information Centre.
In addition to her own team, she also facilitates the partnerships between the Roxburgh isite, Alexandra Information Centre at Unichem Pharmacy and the Forage Information Centre at The Gate, Cromwell - ensuring any visitor who walks into any of the four centres, leaves as an explorer ready to take on all Central has to offer.
Born and bred in the Māniatoto (returning home 10 years ago) Shirley has had a varied background. She has held positions in her working life that can be called nothing if not diverse. From domestic and international deployments as part of the NZDF, to various medical activities and training roles in Christchurch, finally returning home to Central Otago for her current role in team tourism.
With a new and fresh isite brand design now rolling out for 2023, Shirley is looking forward to welcoming visitors to Central Otago.
As part of a network that spans the entire country, isite well and truly has a finger on the pulse. Need inspiration for the family holiday, the hidden local swimming spot, or need to find a local phone number, and everything in between, your isite team is available and ready to help.
P: +64 3 262 8525
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Group Manager Community Vision, Dylan Rushbrook
Dylan led the TCO and i-SITE teams for over three years and has recently been appointed to a new role within Council.
He is now overseeing not just Tourism and isite, but also Community, Communications, Economic Development and Strategy & Policy - the Community Vision team within Council.
You can still contact him below, but he will be less hands on in the Tourism scheme of things come 2023.
E: dylan.rushbrook@codc.govt.nz
M: +64 21 285 0625
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OUR REGIONAL VALUES
Make a Difference
Be at the cutting edge, setting directions and accepting challenges.
Respecting Others
Take the time to listen and understand other people’s opinions and cultural differences.
Embracing Diversity
Be open to new ideas, open to exploring the possibilities and appreciate the strengths and talents each person brings.
Adding Value
Always ask ourselves is there a better way – one that achieves a premium status, quality experience or interaction.
Having Integrity
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Learning from the past
Choose to learn from past experiences with the future generations in mind.
Making a sustainable difference
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