Chris Hunter Email & Phone Number

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

The key focus of this role is to provide strategic direction and leadership associated with business growth and performance for Etihad’s tourism business interests within the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 Plan. This includes the international expansion for both Etihad Holidays and Hala Abu Dhabi, combined with product and brand development and e-commerce and distribution strategies. Design, develop and deliver Hala Abu Dhabi’s full range of destination management company tourism services, including visas, meet and greet services, cruise tours & services and desert field operations. Hala Abu Dhabi is the first dedicated DMC for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

A joint venture owned by Air New Zealand and V3 Leisure.This role involved leading and establishing the start-up of Tourism Exchange (TXNZ) - an online based real time booking platform, enabling NZ tourism operators to globalise their products and services at minimal cost. Developed launched, operationalised the Tourism Exchange Platform into the NZ inbound tourism market place. This included a nationwide media campaign along with the acquisition of new tourism suppliers, travel wholesalers and retail distribution partners. Ensured compliance with all business and industry specific legislative/regulatory requirements, investor risk requirements and Board policies and reporting.In 2010, TXNZ was incorporated into the Australian parent company, V3 Leisure.

Provide senior strategic direction with regards specifically to• Brand Positioning in NZ• Product Development and Expansion• Marketing and Advertising• E-CommerceA member of the NZL Executive Team, which planned, directed and led the Flight Centre NZ group of businesses to achieve market profile/share, revenue, profit, operating efficiency and growth targets for the organisation. Provided senior strategic direction for:• Brand positioning.• E-commerce developments including integrating online with bricks and mortar (multi-channel distribution).• Product development and expansion.• Marketing and advertising.Achievements included:• Developing the 5-year Strategic Plan for the organisation (Argenti Strategic Planning).• Creating Customer Database and CRM, Direct Marketing capability and integrated online and search marketing.• Establishing a new online distribution channel. • Exceeding revenue (Total P.O.S) $900m.

New Zealand

• Led the market with a strong multi-channelled (click, call, visit) direct sales strategy for Air NZ. Provided motivational leadership to 850 employees, aligning them to the vision and values of the organisation and delivering exceptional levels of performance and stakeholder satisfaction. Achievements included:• Creation of online channel resulting in sales growth of $750m in 3-years (domestic online bookings for the airline grew from <5% to over 60%). This was a key factor in turning the airlines financial performance around and providing the strategy and subsequent shift towards a new airline business model. • Exceeded revenue responsibility (Total P.O.S) of $1,3b.• Reduced cost of sale by more than 50%, saving in excess of $10m (operating expenditure responsibility $46.3m).• Developed and implemented full P&L accountability into wholly owned sales channels resulting in profits of $12m. • Led the market with the strategic development and implementation of service fee/mark up margins in the NZ travel industry.• Contact Centre innovation – centralised all international call centres into NZ, resulting in annual operating expenditure savings of $4m p.a.• Establishment of Online capability for Business Travel division (TMC) and subsequent growth into NZ largest corporate travel management companyAwards include – Finalist Computer World Excellence Awards (2004), Netguide Best Travel Website (2004), Netguide Best Travel Website Finalist (2003), Hitwise most visited site (various categories)

Strong and influential leadership and management of the culturally diverse Pacific Islands Region. Responsible for all revenue (cargo and passenger) and airport operations within the Region. Established strong and strategic relationships at a Prime Ministerial level and supported bilateral air services agreements and preferential positions with relevant airports. Led the Destination South West Pacific Project, which included the air services impact on local economies and route profitability for the Pacific Region.

Manager Pricing (Global), Manager Retail Group (NZ), Airline Finance, Business Development Manager (UK) and Airport Services (Auckland Airport)

Masters In Business Administration, Mba

E-Commerce

Ernst & Young Executive Leadership Programme