Latest news with #Organisation
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Taranaki Tourism Experiences Encouraging Long-Term Growth
Despite volatile short-term growth, the Taranaki tourism sector continues to outpace national trends, reporting a 3.9% uplift in tourism expenditure over the past five years based on the latest economic insights from Infometrics, sitting above the relatively flat national average of 0.7%. The sustained long-term growth highlights the region's resilience and appeal as a destination of choice, despite short-term fluctuations in visitor numbers and a tough domestic market. "Short term year-on-year data needs to be considered alongside the broader context of long-term trends to ensure we get the full, and correct picture. Looking across the last five and even ten years, it's pleasing to see that Taranaki is performing well, especially compared to the national average and some of the main centres," Flutey comments that tourism, like most sectors is a mid-long term game and success doesn't come over night. "While external factors can cause volatility year-on-year, the long-term data shows Taranaki is increasingly becoming a destination of choice, particularly as we see a continued shift in behaviour with visitors seeking out off-the-beaten-path destinations," Flutey adds. Over the same 5-year period, Auckland experienced a decline in tourism expenditure of -0.7%, Otago decreased -1%, and Gisborne, a relatively comparable region, saw a more modest increase of 2.8%. "The domestic market has been particularly challenging, with households feeling the pinch, and a reduction in business and corporate travel fuelling short term performance." Despite this, the mid-to-long-term sector outlook is encouraging. "Tourism continues to present a strategic growth opportunity for the region, with our businesses and communities looking to strengthen and diversify our economy." This sustained growth is particularly pleasing for Regional Development Agency and Tourism Organisation, Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki, who's role it is to engage in significant tourism growth-focused activity on behalf of the region alongside the sector and industry partners. "Over the last five years, we've been strategic and purposeful as to where we put our energy, and how we show up in market. From domestic visitor campaigns aimed at boosting off-peak arrivals, to the development of targeted promotions in the Australian market to build awareness with our largest international visitor arrivals. "Visitor trade has also played a key role in our approach, ensuring we prioritise key visitor trade events and initiatives, attending the likes of TRENZ, the largest tourism trade buyer-seller event in the southern hemisphere." Daniel Fleming, Co owner/General Manager, King & Queen Hotel Suites comments, "We've seen a steady rise in the number of international guests coming through our doors particularly from the American markets, who are uncovering all that our region has to offer." "There's great vibrancy building across the region, with a growing calendar of events, rich cultural experiences, a glowing dining scene, and strong collaboration happening across the tourism sector. We know tourism is a long-term game, and it's exciting to see this momentum gaining pace." "We're looking forward to attending the North Island Showcase in Australia later this year, alongside the team from Venture Taranaki to highlight all that Taranaki has to offer to key Australian travel sellers," Daniel Fleming adds. The recent bumper summer of major events has also reinforced the value of hosting large-scale events for the region's economy and visitor appeal, with the latest data confirming a collective $67 Million boost in economic impact for the region. Independent economic impact reports from the region's stacked summer line-up, including TSB Festival of Lights, two Summer at the Bowl concerts, Americarna, WOMAD, and Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, show that these six events attracted over 72,000 visitors from outside of the region, helping to drive over $48 Million in direct visitor expenditure. Americarna alone, attracted 34,600 guest nights and contributed $11M in visitor expenditure to the local economy over just four days of classic American car celebrations. "Major events are an effective lever to drive visitation and cultural vibrancy, helping to shine a spotlight on Taranaki as a must-visit destination for new and returning visitors, and providing far-reaching benefits from sold-out accommodation, to increased demand for transport, retail, and hospitality," Flutey says Despite a 6.3 % drop in visitor expenditure for the quarter end to March 2025, the long-term growth and future potential of the Taranaki tourism sector remains clear, as the sector looks to continue to build on its success to date. "In the immediate term we are well placed to continue to capitalise on stage one of the Government's Tourism Growth Roadmap as they invest in demand generation activities to drive international visitor attraction, and there's a lot more opportunity around the corner for us yet, with Central Government having already committed to supporting international campaign activities, and various projects and events," concludes Flutey.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Joined as Management Trainee, Natwar Kadel is now Hyundai Motor India's Vertical Head
Hyundai Motor India has appointed Dr Natwar Kadel as Associate Vice President and Vertical Head - Human Resources , HR Strategy and People Strategy. Kadel's journey with Hyundai began in 2007 when he joined the company as a Management Trainee in Chennai. Within a year, he was promoted to Assistant Manager - Human Resources in 2008. Over the past 16 years, Kadel has grown within the organisation, and has now transitioned in his new role of leading the HR division in India. Prior to this role, he was the Head of HR, HRD Strategy, Corporate HR and People Strategy at Hyundai Motor India. In his new role, Kadel will report to Youngmyung Park, Vice President and Function Head - People Strategy, Hyundai Motor India. 'My key roles and responsibilities will be to drive global-standard HR practices, leading talent acquisition, talent experience, talent development, talent management and talent sustainability areas, guiding compensation and benefits strategies, and managing leadership development initiatives. It also includes timely execution of major HR projects while fostering a culture of agility, innovation and inclusivity to support Hyundai Motor India's long-term growth and achievement of business goals,' Kadel told ETHRWorld. The journey Speaking about his journey and the principles, Kadel shared that a deep belief in ownership with accountability has been central to his growth as he never viewed his role as just a job, but as a stewardship of the business and its people. This mindset enabled him to take on bold, enterprise-wide challenges. Kadel further said that building a culture rooted in trust and empathy has always been a priority, especially during critical periods such as labour scenarios or the pandemic. 'I've held firm to build a culture of trust and empathy - fostering collaboration, independent thinking and inclusive leadership, especially during moments of labour scenarios, or the pandemic,' he added. And the third priority for Kadel has been a passion for reinvention. 'I've consistently looked at every challenge as an opportunity to reimagine systems, whether it was revamping talent architecture, decentralizing leadership, or championing workforce innovation,' he said. At Hyundai Motor India, Kadel led certain HR initiatives that aligned talent strategy with business agility. A cornerstone was architecting the Role-Based Organisation (RBO), streamlining roles and simplifying the structure - accelerating decision-making and enhancing workforce flexibility. To build future-ready leadership, LEAD Academy was launched, fostering strategic, inclusive and human-centred leaders. Trailblazer and Young Talent Programme (NEXT) were few other initiatives led by him as a part of Hyundai's talent strategy. With experience in Employee Relations (ER), Kadel's aim was to ensure 100 percent policy compliance and fostering industrial harmony. Having risen from the grassroots level, Kadel's leadership style is shaped by his journey. He said it holds a strong respect for every role within the organisation and that he believes in the power of listening. According to Kadel, understanding the true pulse of the business and the language of its people is key to recognizing challenges early and driving collective focus. His transition from a Management Trainee to a strategic leader across diverse domains has given him both perspective and humility. Top strategic priorities As the new Vertical Head - Human Resources, Kadel said that his key priorities revolve around building a future-ready, people-centric organisation. He explained, 'First, I am focused on strengthening our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) - not just to attract top talent, but to deeply engage and retain them.' 'Today's workforce, especially Gen Z, looks for purpose, growth, authenticity and a culture they can connect with. Our EVP must reflect these evolving aspirations by offering meaningful work, continuous learning, wellbeing support and a strong sense of belonging,' he said. Second, Kadel is committed to fostering a sustainable high-performance culture - one that empowers teams, drives innovation, and ensures every employee understands how their contributions connect to the broader business goals. Creating such a culture is key to long-term success. Third, leadership development and robust succession planning remain critical. As Hyundai prepares for future growth and disruption, having a strong internal leadership pipeline is non-negotiable as per Kadel. 'I believe in identifying high-potential talent early, investing in their development, and equipping them to lead through change with confidence,' he added. Further, Kadel highlighted that as the automotive industry undergoes rapid transformations driven by EVs, AI, and sustainability imperatives, new skills, mindsets and capabilities will define future success. For this, Hyundai is proactively preparing its workforce to lead the transition. The company is investing significantly in building future-ready talent through high-aspiration programmes like TrailblazHer (Women Leadership Development Programme) and ARISE (Core Talent Programme) which focus on nurturing leadership potential and driving innovation. In addition, the company is upskilling its employees in emerging competencies, as a smart mobility solutions provider in the truest sense. Employee strategies Kadel shared that for the shopfloor employees, cascading values like tenacity, agility and resilience from leadership requires deliberate alignment between belief, behaviour and business rhythm. For this, Hyundai started role-modelling these behaviours at the top - through decision-making, communication and accountability structures. Then, the company embedded them into everyday systems: performance reviews, learning journeys, townhalls, and manager capability programmes. At the shopfloor level, it's about simplifying the narrative, celebrating on-ground heroes who live these values, and ensuring supervisors act as cultural conduits. Kadel concludes that in 2025, the ideal Hyundai Motor India employee will be both, a brand ambassador and a values champion - someone who not only represents the company externally, but also lives and breathes the Hyundai Way internally.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Rachel Gupta: Resigned or terminated? Miss Grand Int'l 2024 row deepens
In a dramatic twist shaking the global pageant circuit, Rachel Gupta – the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International (MGI) title – has stepped down just months after her historic win. The 21-year-old model and beauty queen took to Instagram on Wednesday, citing a "toxic environment" and broken promises as reasons for her resignation. Reasons behind her resignation The 21-year-old said she faced a toxic environment and broken promises during her time with the pageant organisation. Rachel described her decision to step down as 'difficult but necessary' for her mental and emotional well-being. Rachel's emotional message The 21-year-old said being crowned was one of her biggest dreams, but the months that followed were filled with mistreatment and disappointment. "I can no longer endure in silence," she wrote. She also apologised to her fans and promised to tell her full story soon through a video. 'The truth will come out very soon,' she added. Also Read What did the MGI organisation claim? While Rachel says she resigned, the Miss Grand International (MGI) Organisation claims she was terminated. In an official statement, MGI accused her of: Not fulfilling her duties Taking part in unauthorised outside work Refusing to join an official trip to Guatemala The organisation said her title was removed effective immediately and asked her to return the crown within 30 days. In the official statement, the MGI wrote, 'The Miss Grand International Organisation hereby announces the termination of Miss Rachel Gupta's title as Miss Grand International 2024, effective immediately." Rachel won MIG crown last year Rachel Gupta made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International crown on October 25, 2024. She also won the Grand Pageants Choice Award, placing her alongside legendary Indian beauty queens like Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Rachel Gupta resigned or terminated? MIG 2024 organisers break silence
Rachel Gupta, the first Indian to be crowned Miss Grand International in 2024, has stepped down citing a toxic culture - but the organisers now claim she was officially terminated Sudeep Singh Rawat New Delhi In a dramatic twist shaking the global pageant circuit, Rachel Gupta – the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International (MGI) title – has stepped down just months after her historic win. The 21-year-old model and beauty queen took to Instagram on Wednesday, citing a "toxic environment" and broken promises as reasons for her resignation. Reasons behind her resignation The 21-year-old said she faced a toxic environment and broken promises during her time with the pageant organisation. Rachel described her decision to step down as 'difficult but necessary' for her mental and emotional well-being. Rachel's emotional message The 21-year-old said being crowned was one of her biggest dreams, but the months that followed were filled with mistreatment and disappointment. "I can no longer endure in silence," she wrote. She also apologised to her fans and promised to tell her full story soon through a video. 'The truth will come out very soon,' she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachel Gupta (@_rachelgupta) What did the MGI organisation claim? While Rachel says she resigned, the Miss Grand International (MGI) Organisation claims she was terminated. In an official statement, MGI accused her of: Not fulfilling her duties Taking part in unauthorised outside work Refusing to join an official trip to Guatemala The organisation said her title was removed effective immediately and asked her to return the crown within 30 days. In the official statement, the MGI wrote, 'The Miss Grand International Organisation hereby announces the termination of Miss Rachel Gupta's title as Miss Grand International 2024, effective immediately." Rachel won MIG crown last year Rachel Gupta made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International crown on October 25, 2024. She also won the Grand Pageants Choice Award, placing her alongside legendary Indian beauty queens like Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000.
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Cook Islands Rejects Push to Enshrine Christianity in Constitution
The discovery of the presence of a mosque in Rarotonga, which had been quietly operating for seven years, has set off a major debate about the status of the Cook Islands as a 'Christian nation.' It culminated this week in a parliamentary committee refusing to formally embed the country's religious affiliation by amending the constitution. The Masjid Fatimah Rarotonga quietly opened its doors to the local Islamic community in 2018. Situated within a family home in Titikaveka, on the southeast side of Rarotonga, it operated without incident until publicity about its existence last year led to heated debate and calls for the country's constitution to be amended to bar non-Christian religions. The Religious Organisation Restrictions Act, passed in 1975, limits the introduction of new religions to only the four authorised in the Act: The Cook Islands Christian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The constitution currently allows anyone to practice their religious faith, but if they want to establish a church, they must apply to the Religious Authority Council. There are three pending applications before the Council. Last year Mohammed Azam, leader of the Muslim community in Rarotonga, told the Cook Islands News that the facility accommodated hundreds of Muslims on the island, including Indonesians, Filipinos, Indians, and some Cook Islanders, as well as visiting Muslim tourists. Related Stories 3/14/2025 2/19/2025 'We do prayers five times a day every day, and there's nothing else we do besides that,' he said. Churches Have Significant Influence But the country's other churches reacted strongly against the news, and began pushing for the country to be declared a Christian nation and for other religions to be outlawed. The influence of the church in the Cook Islands is such that Parliament responded by establishing a Religious Organisations Special Select Committee, which heard submissions on Rarotonga and visited the outer islands. Opposition was headed by the Cook Islands Christian Church, which proposed a constitutional amendment to enshrine 'the protection and promotion of the Christian faith as the basis for the laws and governance of the country.' Churches in the Pacific nation are traditionally very conservative and decided to use the consultation process to also propose reversing a 2023 law that legalised same-sex relations. Cook Islands Christian Movement interim secretary William Framheim said this was a 'Western concept' that may be acceptable elsewhere, but not in the Cooks. In a letter to the editor, Rarotonga Muslim community spokesperson Tatiana Kautai questioned the 'love and compassion' of the Movement, alluding to comments from its interim vice president, Pastor Clerk Turua, who said its purpose was 'to unite believers and serve the community with love and compassion.' From the outset, the government appeared reluctant to restrict freedom of worship, noting that to do so would breach several international treaties to which the Cook Islands was a signatory, while opposition MPs supported further restrictions. Rejected as Discriminatory This week, the committee rejected the proposal, saying it would be discriminatory and a violation of fundamental human rights and would breach the country's constitution. And—in a move certain to foment more opposition from the established churches—recommended Parliament repeal the Religious Organisations Restrictions Act. In its report, the committee agreed with the Cook Islands Law Society that laws must be applied fairly, equally, and without discrimination to all people regardless of their religious beliefs. 'The committee is compelled to adopt measures that uphold inclusivity, equality, and fundamental freedoms, ensuring alignment with both domestic and international standards,' the report said. The report also pointed out that the Religious Advisory Council (RAC) had been 'mistakenly' accepted as having an advisory role to the government on matters such as the regulation of churches and even immigration and seabed mining. 'However, the problem is that RAC is not a legally incorporated body and therefore has no formal or legal status,' the report said. The committee said it believed that the preamble of the Constitution sufficiently captured the significance of Christian principles in the Cook Islands. It reads: 'In the Holy Name of God, The Almighty, The Everloving, And The Everlasting. We, the people of the Cook Islands, recognising the heritage of Christian principles, Cook Islands Custom, and the rule of law, remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day, being that day of the week which, according to a person's belief and conscience, is the Sabbath of the Lord.'
