Andrew Hutchinson has been hired by Tourism Australia as its new General Manager Domestic and New Zealand, tasked with driving trade and consumer activities as the national tourism association continues its focus on short-haul promotions.
Hutchinson moves to TA from his former role as Head of Product and Operations Australia and New Zealand at Adventure World Travel and overall, brings more than 25 years in the sector to his new role. Further experience on his resume includes stints with Flight Centre, Qantas Holidays and STA Travel.
He will report to Tourism Australia Executive General Manager, Commercial – Robin Mack – and will work to promote Australia to domestic markets and also to New Zealand in readiness for the reopening of international borders.
Tourism Australia Managing Director, Philippa Harrison said the understanding of the local and trans-Tasman travel markets positioned him as the ideal selection for the role.
“Australian tourism is facing unprecedented challenges due to the multiple crises impacting the sector, starting with the summer bushfires and now the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.
“In response to these events, we are reshaping our business and our marketing strategy to hone opportunities that will be critical to kick-starting recovery – starting with domestic travel and then New Zealand as travel and border restrictions are lifted.”
Tourism Australia has reiterated its support for the opening of a travel bubble with New Zealand as soon as it is safe to do so, for which it will be preparing with a variety of leisure travel marketing activity. This will be backed by the ongoing rollout of the Aussie Specialist Program training for travel agents which was recently launched in Australia.