A dynamic addition to Yarra Ranges tourism – Mark Phelps and Troy Hughes.
By Kath Gannaway
A DYNAMIC duo with a wealth of experience in tourism has been hailed as “the perfect fit” to take Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing (YRRML) in a fresh and vibrant direction.
YRRML recently announced the appointment of Mark Phelps as marketing manager and Troy Hughes as business development manager for food, wine and other produce.
CEO Mark Challis said the men were an exciting addition to the YRRML team.
Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing Ltd was formed by a merger of the regional tourism board Destination Yarra Valley Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley Regional Brand.
“Our new organisational structure is designed to focus resources and strategic effort into our primary portfolios of tourism, conferencing, food, wine and produce,” he said.
He said their extensive experience in their respective fields of tourism and hospitality and a passion for regional marketing made them a perfect fit for the organisation.
“We are excited to be welcoming people of this calibre,” Mr Challis said.
He said Mr Hughes was taking on a newly created role which would see him focus on the fantastic array of food, wine and produce that was available across the villages throughout the region as well as garnering support for future major food and wine marketing campaigns.
“I look forward to further developing the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs as a must-do tourist destination, both domestically and internationally and promoting the region as the state’s leader in food, wine and produce,” Mr Hughes said.
Mr Hughes was previously sales manager of Rydges Hotel and Resorts’ largest hotel, Bell City, with more than 800 rooms, multiple restaurants and bars and a vibrant retail precinct.
“With a passion for travel and appreciation of fine food and wine, Troy is ideally suited to this role,” Mr Challis said.
He said Mr Phelps was also looking forward to contributing to the growth and yield of tourism in the region.
Mr Phelps has worked in the tourism industry for more than 14 years in a variety of roles, most recently with Sita Coaches as director of sales and marketing.
He has also worked on a number of tourism boards and committees.
Mr Phelps said he was excited about the move into destination marketing.
“I am looking forward to bringing my extensive experience and wealth of contacts – through suppliers and regional tourism operators with me to this new role,” he said.
“We have some great ideas and dynamic plans for the region and I hope my breadth of experience gives service to the great product we have on offer in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.”
