Tourism Tasmania Chairman, Grant Hunt announced the appointment of former Tourism NT chief Mr John Fitzgerald as the new Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tasmania.

Mr Fitzgerald will commence work at Tourism Tasmania on 7 January 2013.

The announcement comes only a fortnight after former CEO Tony Mayell returned to Alice Springs to pursue personal and career goals.

Mr Hunt said “The Tourism Tasmania Board has moved quickly to ensure this key role was filled as soon as possible. 

“We had already approved a number of major projects and initiatives for the coming year to focus Tourism Tasmania’s efforts and achieve the maximum return on investment from its available resources.

“Our strategy had been set and we now needed a new CEO with the necessary experience and skills to continue taking the organisation along this journey, as well as the local tourism industry.

“John Fitzgerald ticked all the right boxes in that regard,” he said.

Mr Hunt said "Mr Fitzgerald brings a wealth of experience through his thirteen-year career in senior management in the country’s tourism industry.

“Under his leadership of Tourism NT, he delivered the first positive growth for domestic tourism to the Territory in 4 years.

 “The current tourism and travel environment continues to be very challenging, especially for regional destinations, and John’s experience will help us to deliver our domestic and international marketing strategies, and build our industry capability.

“I’m sure that everybody at Tourism Tasmania will look forward to working with John” he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said that Tasmania has had some real ‘game-changers’ in recent years, building on its already strong profile experiences such as its walks, food and wine, heritage, culture and the arts,  golf and World-Heritage listed assets.

“The state is really well placed to take advantage of new air services and all the work done in the last couple of years.

“Our family is looking forward to our move there, and we are excited to be living in one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities in the World in 2013,” he said.

Mr Fitzgerald enjoys rugby, fishing, motorsport and golf, and will be moving from the Northern Territory with his wife Karen and their two daughters to begin work at Tourism Tasmania on 7 January 2013.

John’s previous career highlights include:
Chief Executive Officer – Tourism Northern Territory (2011 – current)
Chief Operating Officer - Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (2008 – 2010)
Chief Executive Officer - Tourism Sunshine Coast (2003 – 2008)
General Manager Development and Operations - Northern Territory Tourist Commission (2000 – 2003)