Tourism Fiji is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Hamilton as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) commencing today, Monday 14th January, 2013. Mr Hamilton’s appointment is the result of an extensive global search that attracted a number of high-calibre candidates.

Mr Hamilton has more than 17 years of experience in the travel industry and he is joining Tourism Fiji after five years as Managing Director of Flight Centre New Zealand.

Bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, Rick has also held roles as Retail Leader for Flight Centre South Africa and as Retail Leader for Student Flights Australia.

“I am truly thrilled to be joining the team at Tourism Fiji and I am excited to work with our many business partners, Fiji’s tourism operators and Tourism Fiji's new global partners.  Fiji is one of the most unique and beautiful countries on earth and I look forward to enhancing world-wide awareness about Fiji, its people and its many amazing attributes,” Mr Hamilton said.

“Tourism is a vital part of the Fijian economy and I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring more people to visit and experience the amazing beauty of Fiji and the warmth and hospitality of the Fijian people.”

Tourism Fiji's Chairman, Dave Pflieger, said Mr Hamilton’s appointment coincided with the roll-out of an exciting rebranding and repositioning of Tourism Fiji to implement a fresh and comprehensive new strategy to enhance Fiji's reputation as an ideal vacation destination for all demographics and global markets.

“Rick’s extensive expertise and experience as a results-focused leader is expected to significantly assist us in our goal to increase tourism to Fiji and further grow the economic impact in 2013 by increasing visitor arrivals, spend and average length of stay,” Mr Pflieger said.

In late 2012, Tourism Fiji revealed the design of its new brand identity to Fiji tourism operators, appointed new marketing and public relations partners, selected a new global social media partner and created a new destination website.

In welcoming Mr Hamilton to his new position, Fiji’s Attorney-General and Minister for Tourism, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said: “Tourism Fiji is ready to escalate the benefits of the marketing partnerships and creative initiatives it has diligently and effectively developed.

“We look forward to Mr Hamilton’s contribution to the new direction of the organisation and his strengthening of the competencies of Tourism Fiji by ensuring the right team is in place. Tourism Fiji must deliver on the investment that the Bainimarama Government has made,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.