Pressure has already started building on new Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy as tourism bodies, operators and suppliers look towards him to reinvigorate the tourism industry.
The appointment of South Australia’s tourism chief executive to lead the national body – after a marathon search lasting several months - was welcomed across the industry.
He will take up the role in January. McEvoy will immediately be confronted by some of the most demanding, challenging and competitive conditions ever seen in the tourism sector.
In announcing the decision, executive chairman Rick Allert said McEvoy’s “drive, creativity and enthusiasm” will be integral to marketing Australia around the world.
The Australian Tourism Export Council described it as an “exceptional choice”.
“Andrew is exactly what the industry needs right now,” said managing director Matt Hingerty. “Tourism Australia could not have chosen a better person to lead our industry and tackle the challenges many of our small business operators are facing.”
Tourism and Transport Forum managing director Christopher Brown said the body needs “leadership” to boost tourism.
“The appointment has been a long time coming and occurs at a crucial time as the tourism industry battles the impacts of the global financial crisis, contends with widespread job losses and awaits the release of the Federal Government’s National Long Term Tourism Strategy.”
McEvoy understands that marketing alone will not be enough, Brown added. He will need to take a stand on supply side issues of investment, transport and training.
McEvoy described his selection as a “great honour”.
