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Debbie Summers stands for re-election as chair of New Zealand Cruise Association

Debbie Summers will stand for re-election as chairman of the New Zealand Cruise Association for the sixth consecutive year, following Tuesday’s annual general meeting which was held as a Zoom call with the nation in lockdown.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

August 24, 2021

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Summers told Seatrade Cruise News she believes continuity is important at this critical time in New Zealand’s cruise history.

The meeting was chaired by Jacqui Lloyd of Destination Marlborough as Summers is on bereavement leave following the death of her husband Brendan after a two-year battle with cancer.

New board members

David Kriel (Napier Port), Oscar Nathan (Tourism Bay of Plenty) and Avinash Murthy (Ports of Auckland) were elected to the board.

They join existing members Debbie Summers (executive director IDNZ), Jacqui Lloyd, Kevin Winders (Port Otago), Douglas Colaco (ISS McKay), Sean Marsh (Te Puia) and Tansy Tompkins (Tourism New Zealand’s representative). 

Election Friday

The new board will vote on Friday for the positions of chairman, deputy chairman and treasurer.

Chairman’s report

The chairman’s report presented to the meeting stressed the importance of cruising being included in any border reopening discussions.

It said the NZCA is deeply committed, with a united voice, to getting the cruise industry started again.

It made special mention of Tourism New Zealand, which, it said, contributes ‘enormously’ to the work of the association.

This year’s annual conference was cancelled for the second year running and the 2022 conference has been scheduled for August 18-19 in Auckland.

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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