Destination Queenstown CEO Graham Budd announced today that Tracey Maclaren, Christiana Zhu and Charlie Curel will join the regional tourism organisation within the next six weeks. From 19 November, Tracey Maclaren will join Destination Queenstown’s (DQ) management team on a one-year maternity cover contract as Queenstown Convention Bureau Manager.

A 21-year local, Tracey will bring a wealth of experience and industry relationships to her role in promoting Queenstown as a business events destination.

Mr Budd believes that given Tracey’s previous positions on Destination Queenstown’s Board of Directors and her Real Journeys roles, which include Conference and Incentive Manager and General Manager Operations Queenstown, she is very well placed to help lead business tourism growth in Queenstown.

Christiana Zhu, currently Tourism New Zealand’s Media Advisor for China, will commence her role as Trade Marketing Executive on 29 October while Charlie Curel, currently Cardrona Alpine Resort’s Marketing Co-ordinator, will take up her position as Online and Market Insights Executive on 12 November.

Christiana brings international tourism experience to her role, particularly in Asian markets, as well as strong industry and media relationships.  She is fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese and holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies.

Christiana will report to International Markets Manager Ben Chapman and assist him in marketing the Queenstown region to international travel trade, developing and managing trade familiarisation trips, training travel agents and providing advice for itineraries.

Charlie brings website management, marketing campaign, and research/data analysis experience to her role as well as nearly ten years in the tourism and snowsports industries in New Zealand and the United States.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Leisure Marketing.

Charlie will report to Lisa Nilsen, Marketing Manager - Australia and New Zealand, and be responsible for Queenstown’s website www.queenstownNZ.co.nz as well as reviewing and interpreting a range of visitor data and providing market insights.

Destination Queenstown CEO Graham Budd is delighted with the three appointments.

“I believe their skills will add value to our already high performing team and to our work in promoting Queenstown as the premier four-season lake and alpine resort in the Southern Hemisphere.”