New South Australia tourism boss announced

The Chairman of the South Australian Tourism Commission Board, Mr Bob Foord, has announced the appointment of Andrew McEvoy as the new SATC Chief Executive.

Mr McEvoy, who is currently the Director of Industry and Organisational Development at Tourism Australia and an applicant for the recently appointed TA CEO post awarded to Geoff Buckley  will take up the role in June 2007, following the departure of outgoing CE, Mr Bill Spurr, who leaves some very big boots indeed to fill.

Mr Foord said, “The SATC Board has left no stone unturned in appointing a new Chief Executive and Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the role and this appointment comes following an international search to fill the role.”  “In fact, we had a final short list, which included applicants from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.”

He added, “Andrew was also previously the General Manager Marketing at the SATC between 1999 and 2003 so he has a great understanding of the organisation and its culture and it is a real coup for South Australia that we have been able to attract someone of Andrew’s calibre back to the State.”

Mr McEvoy has nearly twenty years of tourism experience and has held a number of prestigious roles in the industry since the early 1990s, these roles including Media Manager for Tourism Victoria, a senior marketing role with Ballarat Tourism, marketing experience with the Melbourne Convention Marketing Bureau, General Manger of Marketing at the SATC and most recently, his role with Tourism Australia.

The SATC Board underwent a lengthy appointment process to replace Mr Spurr, who announced his intention to hand over the reins of the organisation late last year, with Mr Spurr having been Chief Executive of the SATC since 1999, with his career in tourism, events and education spanning more than 20 years.

Mr Spurr said the knowledge Andrew had gained at Tourism Australia in the past four years would be invaluable to the South Australian tourism industry, adding, “I am delighted with this appointment, he is very highly regarded in the industry both here and interstate and his experience will certainly ensure the ongoing growth of tourism in this State”.

Mr McEvoy said he was looking forward to returning to the SATC and South Australia, and believed there were exciting times ahead for the tourism industry, adding, “South Australia is a real growth State in terms of tourism, visitor numbers are looking positive, particularly on the international front and the potential for growth is enormous and I am very excited about being part of this.

South Australian Minister for Tourism, the Hon Jane Lomax-Smith praised Mr Spurr for his dedication to the tourism industry and also welcomed the new Chief Executive, saying, “Bill is moving to another exciting and challenging stage of his life and we wish him all the best with Bill still going to play a major role in tourism, education and entertainment in South Australia which is extremely positive. By the same token, it is wonderful to welcome Andrew back to the State and to the SATC, with his broad experience at all levels including regional, national and international tourism, media management, regional tourism, conventions, events and marketing.”

“Andrew’s appointment will ensure the SATC and the State Government will continue to work in partnership with the tourism industry to ensure South Australia remains a compelling destination for visitors.”

Report by The Mole