Portfolio Media
New Tourism Australia boss great news for tourism
15 October 2009
Shadow Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo has welcomed the appointment of Andrew McEvoy to the position of managing director of Tourism Australia.
Mr Ciobo said Mr McEvoy boasted an impressive and highly respected track record in tourism with more than 20 years experience in the sector.
“I would like to congratulate Andrew on his appointment to this role which is more pivotal than ever for a national tourism sector desperately looking for leadership,” Mr Ciobo said. “Andrew is universally regarded in the industry as a great operator and someone who, I am certain, will help drive tourism direction and growth.”
In his role heading up the South Australian Tourism Commission, Mr McEvoy had presided over one of the nation’s tourism success stories, Mr Ciobo said.
“At a time when the Australia brands need reinvigoration and energy, I am sure Andrew will prove to be a terrific choice.”
Mr Ciobo also commended TA chairman, Rick Allert, for the great work he had done standing in as the body’s chief executive for several months.
But, it was a situation which should never have been thrust on Mr Allert, Mr Ciobo said.
“Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson knew 10 months ago Tourism Australia would have to find a new boss. So, the process of recruiting the chief of the nation’s foremost tourism promotions body has taken almost a year,” he said.
“And in May we learned this inexplicably lengthy process had so far cost Australian taxpayers $40,000 - five months before an appointment was even made. It will be interesting to see what the bill for a 10-month recruitment drive will cost.”
Mr Ciobo said the process was an absolute indictment of Minister Ferguson’s ‘leadership’ of the sector which had left the industry directionless and rudderless for far too long.
“Tourism operators all over the nation have told me the same thing – they’re crying out for incisive leadership from the Federal Government. Over the past year operators have watched tourism numbers falling and an estimated 30,000 jobs go in the sector.
“If there were ever an opportunity for Minister Ferguson to show leadership, this was it.”