History Student to Marketing Executive

I am a marketing executive at Destination Rotorua and I have a long list of responsibilities that involve promoting our beautiful city. In summary, I support a wide range of strategies for domestic and international marketing, destination management plans and niche projects like our influencer programme. I also manage our relationship with our PR company and get to create itineraries for (and sometimes host) media and trade to ensure they experience the very best of Rotorua.

I have the opportunity to think strategically and help make a difference to the future of Rotorua as a visitor destination whilst also getting to have fun and meet new people. A big part of my role involves creating itineraries for members of the travel media coming to Rotorua and I ensure they leave with the best possible impression of Rotorua.

For me, it’s the people. I love meeting people from different cultures and walks of life and help them experience our manaakitanga while they’re here. I also love that tourism can lead you to an amazing career that has so many opportunities. Some jobs are high adrenaline with crazy hours, and some are in the background like me… but no matter what, you’ll get to have fun.

One of the best experiences in my role was getting to go on a travel trade roadshow throughout main cities in Australia in order to showcase Rotorua to travel agents, travel wholesalers and partners. It was awesome to make new connections with trade contacts in Australia and make greater connections with our Rotorua-based operators who joined us for this event.

My path to Tourism isn’t as straight forward as most... I actually did a Bachelor of Arts in History. I wish I had come into Tourism much sooner though! After university I worked in various event coordination and marketing roles. While I was working at a resort doing event coordination, I realised what I loved most about that role was meeting new people. I then came across my current role which gives me the ability to have an amazing career using my marketing and sales skills whilst enjoying all the fun of working in the Tourism sector!

We want you! Tourism is super varied – it isn’t just being a travel agent, flight attendant, or tour guide, although those make fantastic careers as well. You can be in a role that sees you getting out there and having fun whilst also having opportunities to grow your skillset and responsibilities. Whatever your passion is there’s a place for you in Tourism. The other amazing thing about a career in Tourism is it’s often lifestyle balanced and you might even have the opportunity to travel globally and domestically.