AusLeisure

Tourism industry leader Ken Chapman has been elected Chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland at the first meeting this week of the newly elected TTNQ Board.

The Chairman of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Chapman, a major investor in the industry, has a distinguished career in tourism in both the domestic and international markets, including a period as a Board Director at Tourism Australia.

He takes on the Chair role for a three-year term to guide the destination through its recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

Commenting on his appointment, Chapman stated “the region is at a critical juncture, with the potential to claim our biggest ever share of Australian domestic travel but must be ready to rebound into our key international markets as global travel restarts.”

On behalf of the Board, Chapman thanked outgoing Chair Wendy Morris for her three-year term guiding TTNQ through very challenging times, stating “Wendy’s term began in 2017 during an extraordinary period of tourism investment in the region when the industry was anticipating strong growth.

“That anticipation was swiftly turned on its head with a string of challenges including worldwide reports of bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, the monsoon event in early 2019, the loss of direct flights from China and the outbreak of COVID-19.

“Through it all Wendy remained a passionate advocate for the industry, working tirelessly for a more accurate perception of the reef’s health and for assistance to help the industry tackle each challenge.

“We thank her for her dedication and leadership and wish her well.”

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Norris Carter welcomed the announcement and accepted the nomination to retain his role as Deputy Chair of the Board which boasts a broad skillset from across the industry.

Zone Directors
Cairns North Zone Director - Tara Bennett, Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree, Chief Executive
Cairns South Zone Director - Janet Hamilton, Cairns Convention Centre, General Manager
Southern Zone Director - Mark Evans, Paronella Park, Director - Marketing & Public Relations
Tropical Tablelands & Remote Zone Director - Paul Fagg, Business Development Executive, Skybury Coffee

General Directors
Craig Bradbery, Silky Oaks Lodge (Baillie Lodges), Chief Operating Officer
Jeff Gillies, Coral Expeditions, Commercial Director
Joel Gordon, Crystalbrook Collection, Area Manager - Cairns
Wayne Reynolds, The Reef Hotel Casino, General Manager -Hotel 
Sam Ferguson, General Manager Commercial - The Accommodation Centre, Destination Cairns Marketing

Images: Ken Chapman (top, courtesy of Tourism Tropical North Queensland) and Paronella Park (below).

Related Articles

19th October 2020 - Year-round safe recreational swimming spot considered for Port Douglas

16th July 2020 - Queensland Government ends Cairns Global Tourism Hub process

16th July 2020 - Cairns Convention Centre expansion project shares design highlights

31st August 2020 - $11.3 million funding boost announced for Far North Queensland tourism

20th August 2020 - North Queensland Museum of Underwater Art receives additional funding for completion in 2021

12th February 2020 - Cairns tourism boosted by new international campaigns

10th February 2020 - Experience Co cuts Cairns tourism jobs in restructuring

28th January 2020 - Leading consultants suggest Coronavirus impact could deal significant blow to Australian economy

22nd October 2019 - Man dies and woman injured after 10-metre fall from Far North Queensland zip line

23rd September 2019 - Sale of Far North Queensland’s Dunk Island a prelude to resort refurbishment

15th August 2019 - New Chief Executive appointed at Tourism Tropical North Queensland

9th August 2019 - Harvey Lister: Cairns Convention Centre expansion great news for north Queensland

31st July 2019 - Tourism Tropical North Queensland partnerships help Chinese visitors gain insight into Green Island

18th March 2019 - Cairns tourism industry leaders call for changes to marketing of Far North Queensland

18th October 2018 - Cairns Communications consultant Liz Inglis wins Australasian Leisure Management media executive award

4th March 2016 - CaPTA Group backs pro-tourism team in Cairns election

2nd June 2014 - Restoration of Queensland’s Paronella Park moves forward

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.