Tourism Australia confirms key Southeast Asia region appointment

Key facts

  • Tourism Australia has confirmed the appointment of Karyn Kent in the position of Regional General Manager – Southeast Asia, to replace Maggie White.

Key quotes

  • “Karyn possesses almost 20 years experience in the tourism industry, in a range of positions based both overseas and in Australia, and will bring a solid knowledge base and a fresh approach in this key and fast growing inbound region,”Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director, Tourism Australia.

Full story

2012-09-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tourism Australia has confirmed the appointment of a new Regional General Manager – Southeast Asia to replace Maggie White, long-standing in the role, who is returning to Australia.

Karyn Kent has been announced in the position and will commence in the Singapore based role in December.

Karyn joins Tourism Australia from the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) where she is Director of Sales, responsible for commercial partnerships and the State’s international marketing activities.

For Tourism Australia, the Southeast Asia region covers several of Australia’s top ten inbound visitor markets including Singapore, Malaysia and India, as well as the fast the emerging market of Indonesia, Vietnam and the Gulf countries.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy believes Ms Kent’s strong tourism background, existing knowledge and understanding of the region were key factors in being selected.

“Karyn possesses almost 20 years experience in the tourism industry, in a range of positions based both overseas and in Australia, and will bring a solid knowledge base and a fresh approach in this key and fast growing inbound region,” Mr McEvoy said.

“Tourism Australia’s heightened focus on the growing the number and spend of Asian visitors continues to be bolstered through greater investment in resourcing and I welcome Karyn to the team.”

Mr McEvoy again thanked Maggie White, one of Tourism Australia’s longest serving executives, who has worked for Tourism Australia and the previously known Australian Tourism Commission for 23 years, including as Regional General Manager since 2001.

“Maggie has been one of the best connected and most effective people in this role in Tourism’s Australia’s 45 year history. She has formed strong relationships with the States and Territories, the airlines and the Australian industry in that time and will be missed greatly,” Mr McEvoy said.

Ms White will remain with Tourism Australia until the end of 2012 calendar year to allow for a smooth handover.

Tourism Australia
Leo Seaton
Media Relations Manager
P. 61 2 9361 1363
E. lseaton@tourism.australia.com