John O'Sullivan's decision to leave Tourism Australia to be the new CEO and executive director of ASX-listed Experience Co, is a huge vote of confidence for Wollongong's tourism industry.
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Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh added the move was also a credit to Experience Co owner Anthony Boucaut, who developed "such an amazing company out of Wollongong".
"He started back in 1999 with a tin can of petrol in a cafe in North Wollongong and a dream I suppose to start an adventure tourism company, which is Skydive the Beach out of Stuart Park," Mr Sleigh said.
"From there he has grown that into the largest adventure tourism company in the southern hemisphere and arguably on the way to being the world.
"It is a massive credit to Anthony, his team and his vision to be able to develop such an amazing company out of Wollongong.
"I think the appointment of John O'Sullivan frames that decision and really takes the company to another level.
"The level of investment that they have already been able to attract, particularly in North Queensland to continue developing the company is obviously very exciting.
"It would be fantastic to think that as a part of Anthony's legacy, that that level of investment continues to flow and we see more investment and jobs come into the Wollongong region.
"It would be terrible if they were lost."
Mr O'Sullivan, who joined Tourism Australia in March 2014, said the time was right to step down.
He will leave TA in June, with executive general manager international, Phillipa Harrison, to act as interim managing director until a permanent replacement is found.
"I've had five terrific years at Tourism Australia, leading an incredibly talented team who do such a wonderful job promoting Australia to the world. The opportunity to lead an ASX-listed company such as Experience Co. is an incredibly exciting prospect and keeps me in an industry I really did not want to leave," Mr O'Sullivan said.
"It's with mixed emotions that I now move on, but I feel I'm leaving the organisation in a really good position.
"Australian tourism is performing well, with international arrivals and spending both at record levels.
"We've reshaped our marketing narrative. Our Tourism 2020 journey is nearly complete, with the $115 billion target set back in 2009 already achieved, and I firmly believe Tourism Australia is driving the right strategy to take the industry to new levels."
TA also confirmed today that Susan Coghill will fill the role of chief marketing officer, replacing Lisa Ronson who left the organisation in March.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
