As I enter my last days as CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, I want to say thank you to our members. The tourism industry in this region is a resilient and important industry. It is diverse and supported by entrepreneurial people whom I have enjoyed sharing part of the stage with for the past two years.
Thank you for your support and tireless efforts in promoting TNQ. I have constantly said the industry punches well above its weight and I admire your resilience, passion and dedication.
I appreciate all the effort made to support our TTNQ team and most importantly support each other.
I have spent well over 30 years in tourism and have never tired of the industry or lost motivation for the opportunities it has provided. As one door closes, another one opens and I am looking forward to returning to Western Australia for a stint to an equally beautiful part of the world in Margaret River.
There is much work for this destination’s players to look forward to in the days ahead as the brand story unfolds and new creative evolves. I feel a sense of achievement in playing a big part in sorting the future brand for TNQ as I am certain it will hit the market and give the region a shot in the arm and have longevity. I am just sorry I won’t be here to see it all launched in February 2020 but look forward to hearing the success of a strong brand going forward.
We have achieved a great deal in the past two years with restructuring the organisation, Indigenous tourism development, a large European Great Barrier Reef campaign and a large domestic campaign with a second tranche about to hit the market in January. This is the first time we have ever had such a large domestic campaign in the market so hopefully, the results will be strong.
We have also elevated our media activity and delivered a broader digital focus. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Cairns Regional Council for their continued support to tourism as our major funding partner and to the Board and Chair Wendy Morris who give their time to help drive tourism.
It has been a rewarding and enriching couple of years. Goodbye and good luck for the future.
Pip Close
Chief Executive Officer
25 September 2019