Tourism Australia Appoints Managing Director

Tourism Australia has appointed Mr Scott Morrison as its Managing Director. The appointment comes at the end of a four month executive search process undertaken for the Tourism Australia Board by Korn Ferry International.

Mr Morrison comes to Tourism Australia with considerable experience in the tourism sector in both Australia and New Zealand. He established the New Zealand Office of Tourism and Sport, which substantially reformed tourism marketing, research and forecasting. The office also helped facilitate the creation of the acclaimed 100% Pure New Zealand campaign that helped secure outstanding tourism growth for that country.

Mr Morrison also brings with him considerable knowledge of the tourism industry in Australia, from his work at the Tourism Task Force, Property Council of Australia, Tourism Council of Australia and KPMG consulting, where he was responsible for the tourism and leisure sector. Most recently Mr Morrison has held the position of State Director of the Liberal Party in NSW where he has had substantial experience in directing public communications and marketing activities.

Mr Fischer, Chairman of Tourism Australia said, "The Government has injected an additional $235 million into tourism bringing total expenditure by the Australian Government to more than $600m over the four years to June 2008. I am confident that Mr Morrison will focus on delivering very strong returns on this investment in the form of increased tourism numbers and revenues, and we are fortunate to find someone who will bring a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the role,"

"I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr Ken Boundy, who has been acting as interim Managing Director since Tourism Australia commenced operations on 1 July this year. Mr Boundy has done an outstanding job in steering the former Australian Tourist Commission through some very turbulent times, including its transition to the new Tourism Australia. The Board is indebted to him for his achievements." Mr Fischer added.

Tourism Australia replaced the former Australian Tourist Commission as the centrepiece of the Government's forward agenda for tourism, in July 2004. Tourism Australia is the nation's premier international tourism marketing body. It is also the nation's leading tourism research body, and is responsible for facilitating the attraction of major events to Australia and growing domestic tourism in collaboration with state and territory Tourism Organisations. It will shortly be establishing Indigenous Tourism Australia to help develop this key sector of the market.

Mr Morrison will take up the appointment for a three year term from 13 December 2004.

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