Tourism Matters
Tourism Matters explores careers, capability and the people shaping the tourism industry. Host Carmen Bold speaks with professionals, leaders and educators from across the sector about how they built their careers, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and where the industry is heading next. The podcast offers insight for anyone working in tourism, considering a career in the industry, or responsible for developing the next generation of talent.
Tourism Matters
Cecil Potatau: Leading the All Blacks Experience and a 30-Year Tourism Career
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Episode Summary
In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen Bold speaks with Cecil Potatau about what a 30-year career in the New Zealand tourism industry actually looks like.
Cecil shares how he moved from working as a chef into tourism, the experiences that shaped his career, and what he’s learned along the way about building relationships, staying curious, and finding opportunities in the industry. We also talk about his current role leading the All Blacks Experience in Auckland, one of New Zealand’s most unique visitor attractions.
This conversation offers a practical look at how tourism careers evolve over time, the importance of networking in the industry, and why experience often matters just as much as qualifications when building a career in tourism.
What you'll take away from this episode
• Why relationships and networking play such an important role in tourism careers
• How tourism careers often evolve in unexpected ways over time
• The balance between formal qualifications and hands-on experience in the industry
• What it’s like working behind the scenes of a major tourism attraction like the All Blacks Experience
• Practical advice for people who are considering a career in the tourism industry
About Cecil
Cecil Potatau has spent more than three decades working across the tourism industry in New Zealand. He currently manages the All Blacks Experience in Auckland, an immersive visitor attraction celebrating the legacy of New Zealand rugby.
Throughout his career Cecil has worked across a range of tourism organisations and attractions, building deep experience in sales, partnerships and visitor experiences.
Connect with Cecil on LinkedIn
Resources and organisations mentioned:
Ngāi Tahu Tourism
https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/
All Blacks Experience
https://www.experienceallblacks.com/
Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium
https://www.kellytarltons.co.nz/
Tourism Holdings
https://www.thlonline.com/
Weta Unleashed
https://www.wetaworkshop.com/tours/auckland
Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction and quickfire questions
02:39 Cecil’s career journey in tourism
05:32 Transitioning from chef to tourism
08:18 Education and qualifications in tourism careers
11:03 Networking and building relationships in the industry
17:12 Working as a sales manager in tourism
22:57 Managing relationships and communication
26:37 Professional development and upskilling
28:16 The All Blacks Experience attraction
34:50 Future trends in tourism