Outback Queensland Tourism Association has appointed Denise Brown as its new CEO.
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She replaces Peter Homan who left in July to become CEO of Southern Queensland Country Tourism.
Ms Brown joins Outback Queensland from Brisbane Airport Ltd, where she was Aviation Development Manager and she was also with Tourism and Events Queensland looking after marketing and development of Outback Queensland and the Gold Coast.
Ms Brown brings over 20 years management and tourism experience to Queensland's largest Regional Tourism Organisation by geographic size with broad-ranging skills including marketing, product development and tourism trade networks.
Ms Brown has previously been a voluntary director of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and sits on the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Board, which met this week in Mount Isa.
She said she was looking forward to working with Outback communities, tourism operators and councils.
"I have a strong passion for this industry and the benefits that tourism brings to our country towns, both through the money they spend and the opportunity to educate visitors about our rural lifestyle," Ms Brown said.
"Developing awesome nature-based activities, authentic experiences, connecting adventurous spirit and strong connections with the Outback is what building visitation is all about."
OQTA chair Belinda Murphy said the board was impressed with the calibre of applicants who applied for the role.
"We wanted to make sure we were very thorough with the application process to find the right person with experience in tourism and someone with a strong understanding of the Outback community and lifestyle," Ms Murphy said.
"This role is required to have very regular face to face contact with Tourism and Events Queensland, Government departments and travel trade partners. It was agreed the position be based in Brisbane with the OQTA office in Longreach maintaining a balanced approach with councils and tourism members".
Ms Murphy said the OQTA covered almost two thirds of Queensland so the new CEO needed to mix frequent travel with time in region with staff, councils and members.
"She has achieved great things in tourism over her career working in trade distribution in international hotel companies and Australia's largest inbound tour operator," she said.
"Denise also led the Australian Geographic project for Queensland's Outback and together with Matt Bron from Tourism and Events Queensland, were united in their vision for the Education project for schools to build Outback visitation into their curriculum."
Ms Brown begins in the role on September 23.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
