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Karen Thompson-Smith will be drawing on 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry as the region struggles to cope with the effects of Covid-19.
After a spell in the doldrums, Matakana Coast Tourism (MCT) has changed its constitution, broadened its funding model and appointed a new manager. Unfortunately, the timing of the group’s revamp happened at exactly the same time as the Level 4 lockdown and consequent collapse in visitor numbers.
However, after 20 years in the business, Karen Thompson-Smith is determined and undeterred from her aim of uniting the region from Puhoi to Pakiri and putting it firmly back on the tourism map. She has worked with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Tourism NZ and luxury Northland golf resort Carrington Estate, and knows the area well from having a family holiday home at Omaha.
Karen says that while the timing of her appointment could have been better, it’s now more important than ever that the region has a cohesive plan to rebuild its tourism business.
“When this idea was thought of, we didn’t have Covid. Obviously it’s a new world now,” she says.
“There’s a need to find funding and it’s a challenge to get people to join when money is tight, but we’re looking at a completely new strategy and direction.”
Aside from funding, Karen says the biggest challenge is to bring the region together to work collectively for the common good, and to iron out any perceived differences or rivalries between areas.
“The big thing will be to get people to realise we have to work in a co-operative way. If we work together we can make this an even more desirable place to come and visit,” she says. “I’ll be trying to get everybody on board with what Matakana Coast looks like; what the story is that’s going to bring all the areas together. Each area has a different role to play.
“There’s no doubt this area will feel the pinch, but we’ve got 1.5 million Aucklanders on our doorstep and we’re a group of passionate people who want to make it work.”
In recent months, MCT had been struggling to appoint a full committee, following the resignation of chair Penny Webster at its annual meeting last September. Karen says that by the end of the year, the group had been in danger of collapse, but a core group of members were determined to save it.
At a special meeting in March, a new constitution was accepted that allowed increased corporate funding and members agreed to use some of that money to fund Karen’s appointment. At the same time, Matakana Farmers Market and Brick Bay owner Richard Didsbury was appointed chair.
“At a time when the tourism and hospitality sector is facing great uncertainty, I believe the new changes in our funding model and the appointment of a dedicated manager will help us build on the work that has been done by numerous people to date,” he says.
