Destination Wollongong Chairman Matt Davidson today announced that Wollongong-raised Mark Sleigh would lead the city’s drive to reinvent itself as a major lifestyle, tourism and events destination.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark and believe we’ve got the right man to guide the city’s transition into the next chapter of its development as a thriving regional centre,” Mr Davidson said.

“Mark comes to us with a very strong tourism and hospitality background as well as early achievements as a sportsman, having taken his tennis right up to the Australian Open.”

“We look forward to benefitting from Mark’s corporate and sporting drive to help us reach the top tier as a place to run a business, raise a family, enjoy retirement and take a holiday.”

Mr Davidson said Mark was chosen from a strong list of candidates for his strong skill set that included Operations Manager for four major Sydney hotels and Chief Operating Officer of Base Tourism Group, which runs 13 hotels and 31 retail travel agencies. 

“But coming back to Wollongong was always his main goal and he’s now achieved what he describes as his dream job.”

Mr Sleigh, 38, takes up the job today, 16 years after leaving Wollongong as a young business graduate on a steep learning curve that saw him in Sydney for the 2000 Olympic Games.

“I landed a key management role with the Eastern Hotels Group at one of the most exciting times in the city’s history, and those two weeks left a lasting impression on me in terms of the power of tourism and what major events can do for a city and its people,” he recalled.

Mr Sleigh said his new job will be much broader than tourism and events because it also involves helping breathe commercial life into Wollongong’s main commercial hub, the City Centre.

“This was always going to be a challenge, but the Destination Wollongong Board is working closely with Wollongong City Council and The GPT Group during the City Centre redevelopment period. We also have a sound marketing plan which will work to activate and attract people to the City Centre.”

“My predecessor Greg Binskin is a legend for what he achieved in his 11 years with Tourism Wollongong and I’m looking forward to building on that with Destination Wollongong.  We are on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world just a quick hop from the nation’s main gateway, so we have the opportunity to make this city really sing.”