Tourism Whitsundays announces five board appointments in preparation for 2023/24 season

This photo was shot in Day Dream Island, Whitsundays, Australia, in January 2015. It was very warm summer day, the sky was mostly clear and a net was set between two palm trees, facing the emerald sea.
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Tourism Whitsundays has announced its Board of Directors and highlighted its key achievements of the 2022/23 season in its Annual Report, released yesterday as part of the Annual General Meeting.

    In the meeting held at the Coral Sea Marina Resort five new board members were welcomed onto the Tourism Whitsundays Board.

    Nathan Fleming of Ocean Rafting, Sue Watson owner of Pinnacles Airlie Beach, Phil Browne of Whitsundays Sailing Adventures and Nicole Graham owner of Iconic Whitsunday Adventures and Carly Povey of Bonza Airlines will join the board.

    New members will join current sitting members; Julie Telford, Crystal Lacey, Jenn Honnery, Matt Boileau, Tom Young and Daniel Gschwind.

    “The 2023/24 Tourism Whitsundays board brings together well-known industry leaders and people with a personal investment in the tourism industry,” board member, Tourism Whitsundays, Julie Telford, said.

    “Their experience in the local industry is invaluable as the organisation works toward the 2032 tourism plan.

    “I want to thank outgoing Board Members; Trevor Rees, Arpad Romandy, Greg McKinnon and Craig Turner for their contribution to the Board over the last 12 months.

    “Their knowledge and insights have helped navigate our industry through an extraordinary year of recovery.”

    Tourism Whitsundays’ CEO, Rick Hamilton said an Annual General Meeting is the time to reflect on the successes of the previous year.

    “The Whitsundays has delivered remarkable results in visitor spend, length of stay and interstate visitation this year,” Hamilton said.

    “As an organisation, we have delivered tactical campaigns in our key markets to further promote The Whitsundays as the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as aviation campaigns and an awareness campaign in our newest market, Newcastle.

    “The last year was an exceptional year in The Whitsundays and as we return to a traditional year, we will work with our members to design campaign periods to address the quieter times.

    “International travellers are an important market for the region and we’re working internationally with Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Australia to promote The Whitsundays.”

    “We’re looking forward to seeing increased international visitation in the coming year as a result of these collaborative marketing campaigns and the increased airline capacity and lower fare prices.”

    The first board meeting of the new board will be October 3rd, 2023.

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