The CEOs of Mantra Group and Wyndham have joined the Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) Board.
Mantra’s Bob East and Wyndham’s Barry Robinson have joined the board that includes Peter Crinis (Crown), Bill Edwards (IHG), Ashley Spencer (Hilton), Iqbal Jumabhoy (Silver Needle), Nigel Greenaway (Eureka), Sean Hunt (Starwood), Robert Dawson (Hyatt), Trent Fraser (Choice), Peter Hurley (AHA) and Rodger Powell (TAA).
TAA Chairman Tony South has welcomed both East and Robinson to the board, saying their experience would greatly assist TAA in a number of areas, including advocacy.
“It’s a very significant advantage for us to have Mantra Group join TAA. It’s without doubt one of Australia’s most dynamic hotel groups under Bob East’s leadership,” South said.
“Mantra is one of the most diverse operators in the country, with a wide range of hotel styles and business models, a quality brand collection, and extensive coverage across the country,” he said.
East said he was looking forward to joining the board from September 1.
“The organisation is well structured and has a clear mandate to serve the needs of the accommodation industry,” he said. “Mantra Group will work hard to promote the very tangible benefits this industry delivers now and to capitalise on its incredible future potential.”
South said Robinson’s lengthy and broad experience in the hospitality sector would help guide TAA.
“Barry Robinson has a detailed knowledge of the hotel and resort industry – from development to branding, management, franchising and operations,” South said.
“As the representative for Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and Wyndham Hotel Group in the South Pacific, he will be a strong contributor and resource for TAA as a member of our board.”
Robinson said there were a number of reasons he joined TAA’s board.
“TAA has developed significant momentum and government influence over the past two years and after a year of experiencing the TAA membership benefits I am delighted to have been asked to join the TAA board and bring Wyndham’s global multi-brand and vacation ownership experience to the table,” he said.
“I am delighted to be joining the board of TAA and bringing to the table Wyndham’s extensive portfolio of global accommodation brands. I hope that our particular experience in the vacation ownership sector will add real value to TAA’s broad industry representation.”