Ohau snowfield operator Mike Neilson has been appointed to the organisation tasked with boosting tourism in Waitaki.
The Waitaki District Council last week appointed Mr Neilson as a director of
the council-controlled organisation Tourism Waitaki, which is also responsible for the management of the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony at Oamaru Harbour.
Tourism Waitaki board chairwoman Annabel Berry said the board was delighted with the appointment.
''Mike brings a wealth of tourism and business experience to our board combined with a passion for the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail, which will be invaluable as we continue to develop and market this important tourism product.''
Mr Neilson is also the Ohau Snow Fields general manager and the joint chairman of the Alps 2 Ocean committee.
He said his first task would be to bring the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle trail and the Tourism Waitaki organisational structures closer together.
''I'll be focusing on the Alps 2 Ocean in the first place, but I had six years on the Waitaki Development Board before and 28 years in tourism in the district, so I am most interested in tourism altogether, really.''
