Reading Time: 4 minutesTourism is at a crossroads, facing social, environmental and logistical issues. To maintain long-term sustainable growth in the sector, a stewardship approach must replace the growth-driven model.
Kiri Goulter - (RTNZ)
Kiri Goulter is a highly accomplished tourism and economic development professional with an extensive, multi-faceted career.
Kiri has held significant leadership roles at regional and national levels, including the New Zealand Government, Tourism New Zealand and Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, where as CEO spearheaded the region’s tourism renaissance.
She has played a pivotal role in reshaping New Zealand’s tourism landscape, authoring the Destination Management Guidelines (Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment, 2019) and guiding all 30 Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) in their planning and capability building.
In Kiri’s current role as Director Destination Management at Regional Tourism New Zealand, she designed the award-winning Te Ūnga Mai programme, which upskilled RTOs as regional stewards, earning the 2022 New Zealand Tourism Award for Industry Collaboration. Her career reflects a deep commitment to ensuring tourism delivers enduring value to communities, businesses, and the environment.