New Tourism Australia Management Team Announced

Tourism Australia has appointed four new Senior Executive positions reporting to the Managing Director. These executives will join the Managing Director and Director of Corporate Services, John Hopwood, on the senior leadership team at the new organisation.

Mr Fischer said the Tourism Australia Board had given its full support to the new appointments, and indicated that the new directors will add to the momentum required to implement new initiatives defined in the Tourism Australia Act. These include the formation of Tourism Events Australia, the niche marketing program and integration of the research function, including the creation of Tourism Research Australia.

Two internal and two external candidates have filled the positions from over 280 applicants.

Richard Beere is the new Director, International. Richard worked with the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) for 15 years, most recently as Executive General Manager - Eastern Hemisphere, and brings great industry and corporate knowledge to the role. His previous experience includes senior executive management positions with TNT Express Worldwide.

Andrew McEvoy is the new Director, Australia - a role that encompasses the continuing activities of See Australia, the New Zealand market and relationships with all Australian stakeholders. Andrew was previously the Executive General Manager - Western Hemisphere, after joining the ATC in this role in 2003. He has also worked with the South Australian Tourism Commission, where he was Deputy CEO, and with Tourism Victoria.

Ian Macfarlane is the new Director, Marketing Services. Ian is currently the CEO of the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau. Prior to this he was General Manager Marketing for Tourism New Zealand, where he steered the development of the 100% Pure NZ brand campaign globally.

Geoff Buckley will take up the role of Director, Research and Strategy. Geoff is currently employed as Executive Director, Marketing and Communications with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Prior to this he made a major contribution to Tourism NSW, where he worked for 10 years and held a number of senior roles.

Commenting on the new team, Tourism Australia Acting Managing Director, Ken Boundy said that he was delighted with the calibre and experience of the new team. He said the new directors bring outstanding relevant capabilities to their individual roles and each have the strategic and conceptual capacity to make a valuable contribution to the overall leadership of the organisation.

Tourism Australia Chairman, Tim Fischer commented that the appointment of the permanent Managing Director would be made after the upcoming Federal Election.

See other recent news from: Australia