Major Industry Changes
New Tourism WA Commissioners Announced
Tourism Council WA has welcomed the four new Tourism WA Commissioners announced by Tourism Minister, Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA.
Tourism Council WA has consistently advocated for people with industry experience and tourism marketing skills to be strongly represented among the Tourism WA Commissioners. We are delighted the State Government has responded to industry and appointed Commissioners consistent with TCWA recommendations.
As Commissioners, tourism industry operators who are exposed to the market are highly accountable for visitor growth and attuned to industry needs. This accountability is particularly important in the midst of the current Machinery of Government changes that will see Tourism WA incorporated into the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
The new Commissioners are:
- Manny Papadoulis, Icon Tourism Managing Director, Tourism Council WA Chair, Australia’s Coral Coast Chair;
- Kevin Brown, Perth Airport CEO;
- Karen Priest, Mandurah & Peel Tourism Organisation CEO, Tourism Council WA Director;
- Linda Wayman, former Southern Cross Austereo General Manager and former EventsCorp General Manager.
New Tourism WA Chair
Following the resignation of Peter Prendiville as Tourism WA Chair, Commissioner Nathan Harding has been appointed as the new Chair. New Commissioner Manny Papadoulis has been appointed as the new Deputy Chair.
Industry thanks outgoing Commissioners
TCWA wishes to thank the outgoing Tourism WA Commissioners for their contribution to the tourism industry, particularly outgoing Chair Peter Prendiville and outgoing Deputy Chair Howard Cearns. Their experience and guidance during their time on the board has been invaluable and their support of the tourism industry is greatly appreciated.
Machinery of Government changes
TCWA understands as of 1 July 2017, the Acting Director General of the new Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation Steve Wood will also become the CEO of Tourism WA. TCWA also understands that Tourism WA will remain as the legal entity receiving tourism, marketing and events budget funding, including the State Government’s $85 million per annum election commitment. We are still waiting on a response to our questions to the Government regarding the legal and structural arrangements going forward.
TCWA Board Transition
The Board of Tourism Council WA will meet promptly to organise an orderly transition to replace the TCWA Directors who have been appointed Tourism WA Commissioners.