TIA Team

Rebecca Ingram joined TIA as Chief Executive in March 2022, bringing with her over 20 years of experience across tourism, marketing, event management, advocacy and stakeholder relations.

Rebecca describes herself as ‘tourism’s biggest champion’ and is passionate about supporting the industry to build its resilience and impact through economic, social, environmental and cultural contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Through her strong network with key decision makers and relationships into government, she successfully advocates on behalf of the industry. As the driving force being the development of Tourism 2050 – a Blueprint for Impact, she has helped to establish a clear strategy for the industry, articulating a shared mission and vision, and clearly conveying the industry’s ambitions for the future and plan to get there.

Before TIA she was General Manager of New Zealand and Government Relations at Tourism New Zealand (TNZ). Other roles included leading a global Tourism NZ promotional team across 10 markets, and leading complex transformation at Telecom (now Spark) and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

What do you do at TIA? 
I lead the Engagement and Partnerships team at TIA, looking after our events, brand, communications, and partnerships.

What's your career background? 
I spent the first 20 years of my career in communications, marketing, and general management roles at international agencies in the UK, Europe, and Aotearoa. Working across global clients including AirBnB, Meta, and Booking.com, my experience is in engaging audiences, building strong relationships, and leading teams to deliver results that drive both business success and positive change. Since moving back to New Zealand in 2020, I have helped create campaigns for New Zealand companies and Government entities, including enticing travelers to the South Island for RealNZ and supporting WellingtonNZ to attract visitors to our capital. After such a long stint in client service, it's a privilege to put my experience and energy into a national association that supports such an exciting and important industry. 

What do you do for fun? 
I'd always rather be dancing, but if I'm not doing that, you can normally find me playing tennis, hiking with my dog, taking trips near and far, or reading. 

What do you do at TIA?
I support the Chief Executive and leadership team, provide secretariat service for the Board, and deliver a range of governance activities.

What's your career background?
I worked in various governance roles in the UK, particularly within the co-operative movement. Before that I had worked in hospitality, customer service and a long list of other random roles!

What do you do for fun?
I love getting outdoors running, swimming, hiking, playing disc golf. I also like to be creative and curious, drawing, songwriting and listening to podcasts.

What's one thing every visitor to New Zealand should do?
For me you can’t beat a good road trip. There’s so much to find round every corner so take some time, hit the road, and get exploring!

What’s one thing every visitor to New Zealand should do?
View a stunning east coast sunrise to welcome in the new year with the sand between your toes at Wainui Beach in Gisborne.

What do you do at TIA?
As the Stakeholder Engagement Manager, I work closely with our adventure tourism and conservation members, supporting them with industry insights, guidance, and solutions to challenges they may face.

What's your career background?
I started out as a travel agent, which game me a real feel for the tourism industry. After that, I moved into design and advertising as an Account Director, working on projects, collaborating with clients, and delivering creative campaigns. I'm really enjoying being back in the industry and getting to contribute to something that makes a real difference for people, communities, and businesses. 

What do you do for fun?
I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially walking my dog through the bush. Weekends are often spent in Greytown, visiting Martinborough's wineries and making the most of the area. 

What's one thing every visitor to NZ should do?
Hike at least one Great Walk and/or spend an afternoon at a Martinborough, Hawke's Bay or Central Otago winery.

What do you do at TIA?
I’m a sustainability advocate – working to make tourism in NZ more sustainable. As well as considering environmental factors and reducing the carbon footprint of the sector, I also factor in the needs of our local communities, the visitors themselves and economic sustainability too.

What's your career background?
Most recently I was the destination manager for Te Tauihu (Nelson Tasman). I’ve also worked in regional wine marketing and for over a decade I ran my own business which was focussed on teaching a range of languages to children throughout New Zealand and Australia.

What do you do for fun?
I love to explore our national parks on foot, kayaks or bikes. Nelson Lakes National Park is my favourite for its wonderful (but often under-appreciated) mountains, freezing lakes and awesome mountain bike trails.

Do you have any pets or fur babies?
I have an elderly cat and a sweet young pup who I try to talk to in te reo. She gets “E kai” right every time, “E noho” and “E hikoi” are pretty good but “Hāere mai” needs a bit more training.

What do you do at TIA? 
I support the engagement and partnerships team in the planning and delivery of TIA events, webinars and communications, and play a key role in fostering relationships with our valued partners and sponsors.

What’s your career background? 
Following my graduation from Victoria University of Wellington with degrees in Marketing and Tourism Management, I found myself drawn to the world of events while facilitating functions at Te Papa and a boutique hotel. Bringing people together in this way continues to be my favourite part of this role!

What do you do for fun?
I absolutely love going on bush walks around New Zealand. Otherwise I’m a sucker for wine & cheese, thrifting, board games and admittedly, reality tv. 

What's one thing you're doing in pursuit of sustainability?
I’ve digitised my entire wardrobe using an app called Indyx, helping me avoid impulse clothing purchases and embrace a more mindful approach to restyling what I already own.

What do you do at TIA?

I help plan and deliver events at TIA, with primary focus on TRENZ which is New Zealand's largest annual business to business travel trade event. My role involves coordinating event logistics, supporting our stakeholders and ensuring a seamless experience for everyone involved.

What's your career background?

Before moving to New Zealand 10 years ago, I worked in hospitality and event operations. Prior to joining TIA, I spent several years as an Event Sales Manager at a Wellington Hotel, focusing on event sales, venue coordination and leading a small team.

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy spending time with my family which involves running around after my young son at the local parks. You'll often find me with a coffee or enjoying a family brunch.

What's your favourite place in New Zealand?

It's hard to pick just one, but I love heading over the hill to Martinborough to cycle around the vineyards and enjoy the fantastic food. I also have a soft spot for Queenstown, there's always something to do and the surrounding towns like Arrowtown are great to explore. 

What do you do at TIA?

As the Communications Coordinator, I play a key role in delivering TIA’s digital communications and managing our social platforms. I love sharing what makes Aotearoa such a special place to visit and showcasing the incredible work happening across our tourism industry.

What’s your career background?

I recently graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a degree in Psychology and Marketing. Before TIA I worked as an admin and marketing assistant for a KiwiSaver scheme. I’ve always had a creative side and passion for tourism, which I now get to bring together in my role at TIA.

What do you do for fun?

I’m always on the lookout for a new adventure whether it’s a spontaneous road trip, a coastal walk, or discovering hidden gems around New Zealand. I’m a huge concert fan (Coldplay tops the list, a few tears were definitely shed!). I also love sports, I’ve played netball for most of my life and you’ll always find me cheering on the All Blacks.

What’s one thing every visitor to New Zealand should do/see/experience?

Hit the road and explore the country, there’s no better way to experience our beautiful landscapes, quirky towns and hidden gems. Although, one of my favourite spots is the Marlborough Sounds. I love taking the ferry across and spotting dolphins along the way, it’s such a magical part of Aotearoa.

What do you do at TIA?

My primary role involves assisting with TIA's finances and ensuring everything runs smoothly on that front. Additionally, I provide support to the wider TIA team and our members to help maintain overall operational efficiency.

What's your career background?

I've had a diverse range of roles across various businesses and organisations. This includes experience in non-profit, finance and hospitality sectors, both here in Wellington and during my time in London.

What do you do for fun?

When I'm not working, I enjoy decompressing by spending time in my garden. For me, gardening is a rewarding experience - It teaches patience and hard work and deepens my connection to nature. There's satisfaction in nurturing plants from seed to harvest, the accomplishment of creating a vibrant and beautiful space, and of course, the enjoyment of fresh, homegrown produce.

What's the most amazing place you've visited in Aotearoa?

As a teen, I had the incredible opportunity to walk the Heaphy track with my family. This experience was not only encompassing and beautiful but challenging too. This left a lasting impression on me that I cherish to this day. A truly meaningful and transformative experience and one that I highly recommend.