A former Tourism Australia MD will take charge of the Tourism & Transport Forum Board.
A former Tourism Australia MD will take charge of the Tourism & Transport Forum Board.

Former Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy has been named as the new Chairman of the Tourism & Transport Forum’s National Advisory Board, taking effect in late November.

He replaces outgoing Chair Katie Lahey, who has served in the role since 2014.

Already a life member of the TTF, McEvoy is well known in the Australian tourism industry, also currently serving as Chair at Sealink Travel Group as well as sitting on the Board of Lux Group – owner of Luxury Escapes. After leaving TA, he also served as MD of Life, Media & Events at Fairfax Group.

Speaking of his appointment, McEvoy said the TTF was critical to the success of Australia’s tourism industry and the national economy.

“I am motivated to Chair the organisation to ensure Governments of all persuasions genuinely value and support this growth sector. I get a sense there has been some complacency given Australia’s strong performance. Now is the time for the industry to get behind TTF and other peak organisations to form a common platform for future growth.”

Tourism & Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said McEvoy was an asset to the tourism industry and will bring excellent skills to the job.

“His longstanding commitment to tourism means he will provide strong leadership to the industry more broadly.”

In his time at Tourism Australia, McEvoy was key to the conception and development of the Tourism 2020 Strategy which is on track to double inbound tourist expenditure to $140 billion annually by 2020.