21 August, 2020

Tourism Australia names new domestic and NZ boss

Tourism Australia has announced the appointment of Andrew Hutchinson as its new general manager of domestic and New Zealand.

With 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, Hutchinson takes up the Sydney-based role with Tourism Australia this month to manage trade and consumer activities for the domestic and New Zealand markets.

Hutchinson joins the national tourism organisation from Adventure World Travel, where he was head of product and operations across Australia and New Zealand. Hutchinson has also worked for major travel brands such as Flight Centre, Qantas Holidays and STA Travel.

The appointment of Hutchinson comes not long after the departure of Tourism New Zealand’s longstanding country manager, Jenny Aitken, who is now at Visit Sunshine Coast.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said Hutchinson’s understanding of both the Australian domestic and New Zealand travel markets, along with his commercial experience, were deciding factors in his appointment.

“Australian tourism is facing unprecedented challenges due to the multiple crises impacting the sector, starting with the summer bushfires and now the coronavirus pandemic,” Harrison said.

“In response to these events, we are reshaping our business and our marketing strategy to hone in on opportunities that will be critical to kick-starting recovery, starting with domestic travel and then New Zealand as travel and border restrictions are lifted.”

Commenting on his appointment, Hutchinson said he welcomed the opportunity to be joining Tourism Australia at this critical time for the industry.

“I am looking forward to working closely with key industry stakeholders across the domestic tourism market in Australia as well as New Zealand, as Tourism Australia looks to support the tourism industry its recovery to welcome visitors once again when the time is right,” he said.

Hutchinson will report to Tourism Australia’s executive GM of commercial, Robin Mack.

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