Dean resigns as Tourism CEO

In a move which has taken many by surprise, Tourism Corporation CEO John Dean has resigned.
The resignation comes at a time when visitor numbers are on the rise. Dean advised the Herald on Monday morning he had submitted his written resignation on 12 January for personal reasons, to Tourism Board Chairman Tata Crocombe and will finish in 3 months time on Friday 30 April 2010.
Crocombe told CITV News during an interview later on Monday that he had received Dean’s resignation and that the position would be advertised shortly. He said Dean had expressed a wish to retire and was past retirement age.
Dean told the Herald he had no regrets and said when he started at Tourism he indicated one of his goals was to establish a direct air link with Sydney. He is pleased this has now been achieved.
He said he had applied for the job because the Cook Islands was a part of the world he had not worked in previously.
Dean said ideally, his replacement should be someone with more local knowledge but also with international experience and depth in international tourism in order to take the industry forwards.
The Herald understands Dean was concerned the Board had made a change to the staff policy manual in relation to travel so as to make savings and this was contrary to an assurance he had been given earlier. The change would see the CEO traveling economy class while on business.

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