100 People Behind Bay Business - 2023

Investing in sustainable tourism practices
and infrastructure will not only help the sector
to mitigate any negative environmental impacts
it needs to manage; it should also attract the
attention of the ever-growing number of ecoconscious
travellers.
COLLECTIVE PROJECTS
Muirs Tours enables visitors to Maketū to prepare and savour
their own freshly caught seafood.
MANAGING DISRUPTORS
At the same time, he’s having to manage three
disruptors within tourism: the ongoing impacts
of climate change and what it means for tourism
operators, activities, and events; the rising cost of
living and its effect on consumers’ discretionary
spending; and the recalibration of tourism in
general as destinations around the globe work
to rebuild capacity to meet demand, and the
associated difficulties of accessing the right levels
of labour, capital and transportation.
To address the first issue, Oscar’s been
overseeing his team’s launch of The Green Room
| Te Rūma Kākāriki – an innovative 12-week
programme which is assisting visitor sector
businesses and organisations to pursue zero
carbon and regenerative strategies.
The breadth and depth of Māori culture and the
various iwi and hapū who live in the region is
also a key focus for Tourism Bay of Plenty. An
increasing number of international travellers are
searching for authentic indigenous destinations
and experiences, which can be a win for business
operators and small communities that are willing to
explore the economic and social opportunities this
presents, Oscar says.
This ties nicely into another major project
that Oscar’s team is continuing to develop - the
annual Flavours of Plenty Festival, held in autumn,
celebrating the region’s horticultural provenance
and its burgeoning foodie and hospitality sector.
Oscar’s also enjoying the opportunity to be
involved in the planning and revitalisation of the
Tauranga central business district, and in particular
the Te Manawataki o Te Papa civic precinct. He
believes it will add a higher level of sophistication
to the city, catering for locals and visitors alike as
Tauranga steadily edges towards becoming the
fourth largest city in New Zealand.
“I GENUINELY RELISH WHAT I DO, AND I ENJOY THE
OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME WITH NEW PROJECTS,
SECTOR DISRUPTION, INNOVATION, AND TECHNOLOGY.
A KEY LEARNING FOR ME, OVER MY CAREER, IS THE
SELF-REALISATION THAT AT TIMES I CAN CHARGE OFF
ON A MISSION AND DIRECTION. THAT’S WHY THIS WELL-
KNOWN WHAKATAUKĪ HOLDS SUCH MEANING FOR ME:
EHARA TAKU TOA I TE TOA TAKITAHI, ENGARI HE TOA
TAKITINI. MY STRENGTH IS NOT AS AN INDIVIDUAL,
BUT AS A TEAM.”
Our purpose is to connect and enrich
people and place through tourism.
TOURISM BAY OF PLENTY
IS POWERED BY
100 – PEOPLE BEHIND BAY BUSINESS | 2023 | 49