tourism tasmania board members

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New ceo appointed to head up tourism tasmania.

Sarah Clark, a current board member, has been appointed the new CEO of Tourism Tasmania as it continues to develop its 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy.

Tasmanian-born Clark has had a long career in tourism and travel, having held senior positions with Intrepid Travel and STA Travel. She joined the board of Tourism Tasmanian in September 2021.

Announcing the appointment, Tasmania’s Premier and Minister for Tourism, Jeremy Rockliff, said that “Sarah’s deep understanding of sustainable travel from an industry operator and customer perspective will serve her well as we continue to deliver our plan for Tasmania’s tourism sector and maintain the positive impacts it contributes to our State”.

“As a proud Tasmanian, I am honoured to take on the role and provide leadership to realise Tasmania’s vision and plan of being a global leader in sustainable tourism,” said Clark.

“We are a destination on the top of many Australians travel lists, with international travellers quickly catching on. People are looking for enriching and meaningful travel experiences and Tasmania is unlike anywhere in the world.”

She added that Tasmania’s “world-class gastronomy, natural environment, arts and unique culture” means the state is “beautifully positioned to thrive as travel recovers”.

Clark, who will take up the role in early 2023, replaces the outgoing John Fitzgerald, who helmed the agency for the past 10 years.

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Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of tasmania, 7 september 2015 will hodgman, minister for tourism, hospitality and events, new tourism tasmania board member appointed.

It is my great pleasure to announce that award–winning Tasmanian tourism entrepreneur Rebecca King has been appointed as a Director of the Tourism Tasmania Board.

Ms King is the owner of Australian Tourism Award-winning training and national tourism consultancy Kingthing Marketing, which provides business advice in the areas of digital tourism marketing, regional tourism, business development, product development, destination marketing and tourism distribution systems.  

Rebecca has a background in media, airlines, government and running a successful tourism business.

She was previously the marketing manager and second-in-charge of the family’s tourism business Tamar River Cruises, which won numerous Tasmanian Tourism Awards. 

Rebecca was also recognised as the 2006 Telstra Tasmanian Corporate Business Woman of the Year.

More recently her current business, Kingthing Marketing, won the 2014 Tasmanian Tourism Award for Education and Training, and went on to win the Australian Tourism Award for Education and Training earlier this year.

There is no doubt that the tourism and hospitality industries are one of Tasmania’s key competitive strengths and the Government is committed to building on our reputation as a must-see destination through innovative marketing, improved access, more tourism infrastructure and experiences, and more skilled Tasmanians in tourism and hospitality jobs. 

I am pleased to see our local talent and the next generation of tourism leaders like Rebecca King contributing to this.

Ms King replaces retiring Director Dallas Newton, who recently completed his term on the Board.  Ms King will attend her first meeting as a Director of the Tourism Tasmania Board in September.

More Media Releases from Will Hodgman

More Media Releases from the Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events

Board Meeting Schedule 2023

• 30th January 2024
• 8th April 2024
• 29th May 2024
• 5th July 2024
• 18th October 2024
• 9th December 2024

Board Members

Jen fry – chair.

Jen Fry got her career start while at University, working as both a nature guide in the local conservation area and in the campus pub. Since that time, Jen has worked with land managers in Ontario, Queensland and Tasmania; with tourism providers across Australia; and as the Premier’s Senior Advisor (including for Tourism, Brand, Heritage, Communities, Recreation and other portfolios), currently she is the Head of Delivery for the Tasmanian Walking Company.

Jen is a member of the AICD, holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Management, a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management, a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, and Certificate IV in Volunteer Management.

Jen has volunteered as a Devil Pen Keeper with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, as a lighthouse keeper with her family on Deal Island, and as a board or committee member with wildcare, and with both national and local tourism associations.

Jen’s career has focused on tourism in protected areas, providing safe, enjoyable and inspirational interactions with our natural areas.

Allison Anderson – Deputy Chair

Allison Anderson is a tourism and research strategy specialist. As founder of Episteme Consulting, Allison develops strategy and research across Australia and New Zealand, specialising in tourism destination management and planning. She has a PhD in Urban Design and Tourism, a Masters in Urban & Regional Planning and a Science Degree (honours), and is an associate of the University of Tasmania. She previously led the research & insights program at Tourism Tasmania & sits on the Northern Tasmania Development Corporation Board. Allison is deeply interested in the connection between people, place and culture and enjoys building these connections through all of her roles.

Jo McBain – Treasurer

Tasmanian born and bred, Jo has a background career in banking and finance having held various managerial positions across branches, commercial lending and administration in two of the big four banks. Whilst raising her two children she dabbled in accounting, audit and financial planning. She then steered in a completely different path redeveloping the Trevallyn Shopping Centre in Launceston with her partner Marcus. For the last 15 years she has been the anchor tenant running the Trevallyn Grocer and the gift/homewares store Shopfront Trevallyn. She operates two short term accommodation properties with her partner and assists his family with their development projects in Launceston and St Helens. Jo recently became a member of the Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Outside work her pursuits include renovating houses, walking, fishing and mountain bike riding all of which have meant she is happily spending more and more time on the beautiful East Coast.

Annette Hughes – Public Officer/Secretary

Annette Hughes brings legal, risk management, governance, communication and strategic skills to the board, as she has been a practicing top tier lawyer since 1990 and partner in top tier commercial law firms on two continents (Sedgwick, in San Francisco, and Allens and Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Melbourne).  Annette has been involved in management for those firms, and has been a director of Corrs’ support services board as well as a member of its Executive Leadership Team.

She is a current director on the board of Freycinet Coast Financial Services (Bicheno and Swansea Community Bank Board), and previously served as a director of the Football Federation Victoria, and as Chair of the Women’s Circus, a not for profit with a large profile supporting women and their communities, using circus as a means to build confidence and support networks—and to entertain.  Annette is currently a consultant (and retired partner) at Corrs, and advises some of the most iconic companies in Australia (such as Billabong, DuluxGroup, Décor, and Paspalley) as well as the ACCC.  She is also a consultant with Cognicity, facilitating and teaching leading Australian and international organisations and government bodies about unconscious bias and improved decision making.

Annette owns and operates an iconic East Coast business, Sandpiper Ocean Cottages, with her husband John and son, Jimmy (15).  She is active in the Bicheno community, and is Secretary of the Bicheno Lions Club.

Donna Stanley

Representing the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), Donna joined the Board in March 2020. As a member of the PWS leadership group and as acting Regional Manager North, Donna brings to the board some 25 years experience in parks and reserves management, with both a professional and personal interest in our beautiful East Coast.

Finding the balance of appropriate use of our exceptional natural assets is a challenge, but one that Donna proactively approaches on a day to day basis and will now share those skills, among others with our Board.  Donna is also an advisor to the Northern Tasmania Tourism board and member of the Stompin Youth Dance Company board.

Michael Symons

Michael Symons was born and raised in Launceston and regularly holidayed on the East Coast of Tasmania. He trained as an apprentice carpenter in Launceston where he was employed by Fairbrothers. Michael then moved onto managing his own building company for over 10 years based in Northern Tasmania. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in the United States where he built many homes in Colorado while enjoying snowboarding, bike riding, camping and exploring with his two young sons.

On returning to Tasmania he and his wife Simone moved to Bicheno and purchased the Bicheno Newsagency which they operated for 17 years. During that time as well as continuing with some building projects Michael was a very active member of the BCDA and also served as BCDA President for 6 years.

He was one of the primary drivers in re-establishing the Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club and his passion for community and building resulted in the completion of the award winning Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club house at Waubs Beach. He spent many years as President of the BSLSC helping to grow the Committee, memberships, the Nippers program and overseeing the successful annual ‘Devil Swim’.

In 2019, Michael was elected onto the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council. He is currently serving a second term on Council as Deputy Mayor.

Michael is also currently serving on the Board of the Bicheno Food, Wine and Festivals Committee , the Bicheno Hall Committee and the Council’s Audit Panel Committee.

In his spare time Michael enjoys surfing, bike riding, playing tennis and golf.

Paul McDonald

Paul entered the Tourism Industry out of a desire to travel, explore and protect wilderness areas. His career spans Sales, Marketing, Technology and Guest Experience and he has been in senior leadership positions for the past decade. Paul is a Kiwi (don’t hold that against him) – he relocated with his young family to Tasmania during the pandemic, with an opportunity to support Tas Walking Co’s growth. With a passion for surfing, hiking and mountain biking it didn’t take him long to discover the East Coast, a destination he now travels to regularly from his base in the south. Paul has degrees in Tourism and Physical Education and currently volunteers as the president of Great Walks of Tasmania. With two young children in school, he is looking to grow roots and find ways to contribute to shaping a positive future for our East Coast communities.

Theresa Lord

Theresa is a born and bred Tasmanian, having spent the first 9 years in Tullah before moving to Bicheno which has been her home on and off ever since. Theresa has spent the last decade specialising in tourism and destination marketing and management. This includes overseeing marketing and visitor services management at local and state government level across Queensland, NSW and Tasmania. Theresa has a Bachelor in Business, majoring in Marketing and Advertising and a sub major in tourism. Theresa has a love for adventure, and you’ll find her mountain biking at Derby or St Helens, swimming and snorkeling at Waubs Bay or hiking in Freycinet National Park. This love for nature and adventure has spurred her interest and career in tourism.

Claire Fitzgerald

Claire Fitzgerald brings diverse professional experience across some of Australia’s most high-profile brands in the arts, tourism, finance and aviation industries to the Board of ECTT. Her career to date reflects an enthusiasm for a wide range of complex subjects and a love of learning that is bolstered by diverse board, study and volunteer experience.

Claire is currently Director Tourism and Hospitality in the Tasmanian Government’s Department of State Growth.  In this capacity, she leads a team of specialists, collaborating with government and industry stakeholders to develop policy and program solutions to complex problems. These are outlined in the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy and Action Plan and include workforce development, support for Tasmanian Aboriginal tourism businesses, infrastructure development, emissions reduction and other focused business development initiatives.

Prior to her current role, Claire was Director Corporate Affairs and Public Relations at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona). Her portfolio spanned the iconic Mona museum, major infrastructure projects, music and art festivals, wineries, brewery, and various community programs and events. Before this, she worked in a range of corporate affairs, communications and advisory roles for other organisations including Melbourne Airport, National Australia Bank, Museums Victoria and Triple R Radio Station.

Lisa Punshon

Lisa’s professional background includes management roles at both a state and local government level, private industry and with not for profits.  The core focus of her roles has consistently been the development of programs and projects that support businesses in the tourism, hospitality and retail industries.   The East Coast has a special place in Lisa’s heart, having lived at Spring Beach for a 15-year period she understands the irresistible draw of our coast and regularly travels back to spend time with family and friends.  Passionate about working with tourism and hospitality businesses and with government to develop the talent and skills needed for sustainable and responsible growth,  Lisa is driven by the desire to influence and navigate all levels of government on behalf of industry with the belief that this will lead to greater opportunity for individuals, industry businesses and the broader Tasmanian community.

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The Tasmanian tourism industry acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a tourism industry that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully. We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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Destination Southern Tasmania is the regional tourism organisation for Tasmania’s southern region.

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2024 Paint The Town Red

DST in partnership with Dark Mofo invites businesses to Paint the Town Red and celebrate Tasmania’s Dark Mofo Winter Festival.

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2024 Tasmanian Tourism Showcase

This year’s event will expand to a state-wide focus and include a consumer-focussed day

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Telegraph Hotel Lights up to Support Tassie Devils

Dunalley Bay Distillery Collects Medals at the 2024 London Spirits Competition

Shades of Port Arthur

TICT Launch new Tassie Tourism Ambassador Program Modules

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• Tourism Australia

Tourism Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for international tourism marketing. Tourism Australia’s role is to:

• Influence people to travel to and throughout Australia;
• Increase the economic benefits to Australia from tourism; and
• Help foster a sustainable tourism industry in Australia.

Tourism Australia’s corporate website,  tourism.australia.com , provides information on Tourism Australia’s activities worldwide, industry marketing opportunities, tourism statistics, the latest news, online registration for trade events, and key contacts. Tourism Australia’s consumer website is  australia.com .

• Tourism Tasmania

Each state and territory in Australia has its own government tourism agency.

Tourism Tasmania’s role is to drive demand for visitation to Tasmania through destination marketing underpinned by strong research.

To support its own marketing programs, Tourism Tasmania also enters into commercial marketing partnerships with domestic and international carriers, media, travel retailers and brand partners to facilitate the sharing and promotion of Tasmanian tourism experiences and stimulate holiday sales and bookings to Tasmania.

Tourism Tasmania’s destination marketing plays an important role in achieving the T21 Visitor Economy Strategy’s  goal of growing the state’s visitor economy. As part of this approach, Tourism Tasmania also works closely with other government agencies responsible for ensuring the growth of Tasmania’s visitor economy is matched with the supply of adequate air and sea access, new tourism experiences, accommodation and infrastructure, and a suitably skilled workforce.

Tip: To stay current with all the latest issues related to tourism in Tasmania, subscribe online to Tourism Talk , which is distributed free via an automated email.

• Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs)

Tasmania’s four RTOs are responsible for driving regional dispersal by encouraging visitors to explore further, stay longer and spend more.

RTOs set the strategic direction for tourism in their region, identify annual priorities and deliver programs that engage the participation of their industry and stakeholders. They have the autonomy to plan and deliver programs that effectively develop and market their region and are accountable to their industry and key stakeholders.

Destination Southern Tasmania (DST) is the peak tourism body for Tasmania’s southern region, which includes the municipalities of Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence, Brighton, Sorell, Kingborough, Huon Valley, Derwent Valley, Tasman, Central Highlands, and Southern Midlands.

DST is an industry-led, non-profit organisation funded by a combination of membership fees and support from state government and local councils. It is managed by a small team of industry professionals who draw on the wealth of experience provided by the DST Board.

Tourism business owners whose business operations extend beyond the southern region may wish to engage with other RTOs:

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• Department of State Growth

The Tourism and Hospitality Support Unit (THSU) sits within the Department of State Growth.

The primary focus of the THSU is to encourage investment in quality visitor infrastructure and building capability, capacity, and community. Or, more simply, the THSU delivers funding, workforce development and business support programs that build capacity in the tourism and hospitality sector:

• Business Tasmania  provides accessible (free of charge) advice, mentoring and information for businesses across the State to help them grow. It provides practical tools for businesses, including checklists, funding opportunities, business diagnostic tools and valuable information for all stages of the business lifecycle. It is also source of truth for information on COVID-19 requirements for business operators, and business support for COVID-19 recovery. We strongly encourage any business operator to subscribe to the Business Tasmania newsletter to be sure to receive important updates as soon as possible.
• The Digital Ready Program provides business operators with many up-to-date, accessible tools to improve their digital performance. The program consists of one-on-one digital coaching, statewide workshops and webinars, online tutorials, fact sheets, video presentations, podcasts and blogs, all available for free on the website.
• Enterprise Centres Tasmania  delivers business advisory and mentoring services through seven centres across the State.
• Events Tasmania provides funding support to events of all sizes that attract more people to Tasmania and get them moving around our regions. It offers a range of funding opportunities to encourage event organisers to stage their next event in Tasmania. 
• Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT)

This peak body represents and acts for the Tasmanian tourism industry at a statewide level.

TICT runs several initiatives to encourage continual business development, including the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program, Tasmanian Tourism Awards, Tasmanian Tourism Conference,  and other workshops and forums.

TICT engages fully with DST and Tasmania’s other regional tourism bodies in developing policies and coordinating advocacy and activities of statewide relevance.

• Local Tourism Associations (LTAs)

Local Tourism Associations nurture and strengthen local tourism businesses by encouraging local industry networking and by liaising with regional tourism authorities and state bodies on behalf of operators, to address issues at a more local level.

The LTAs in the southern region are:

• Contact: Fiona Dewar [email protected]
• Contact: [email protected]
• Contact: [email protected]
• Contact: Bernice Woolley [email protected]  
• Contact: Fiona Weaver [email protected]
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• Contact: [email protected]
• Local Government

DST is supported by the 11 councils in its region who contribute to running costs and specific marketing initiatives and other strategies. Local councils also advise on building, zoning, operating and health and safety issues that are necessary to consider when operating a tourism business or running an event. For maps of Council boundaries and contact details visit the  Local Government Association of Tasmania website .

Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority  (STCA) is the peak body representing the southern councils in the region.

• Other tourism-related organisations
• Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) This is Tasmania’s peak business organisation with a statewide membership drawn from all industry sectors. The  TCCI  provides an extensive range of services to its members and to potential members on a fee for service basis. Financial members of DST receive a complimentary Basic Membership with the TCCI, to help operators access advice in HR, IR, OHS and other specialised areas of business operations.
• Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) The  THA is the peak industry body for hotels, accommodations, restaurants, cafes, caterers, community, sporting and RSL clubs in Tasmania. It is a proactive body that always seeks to advocate for the hospitality sector and ensure Tasmania has a viable and profitable hospitality industry both now and in the future. It provides its membership with a range of services and programs, focusing on workforce development and full industrial relations support and advice.
• Its mission is to express the unifying story of what is means to be Tasmanian , to help you tell your own stories through the lens of the Tasmanian brand story, and to invite all Tasmanians to be a part of it.
• Sign up as a Brand Tasmania partner to receive access to their wonderful visual library, brand toolkit and workshops and events.
• Business Events Tasmania (BET) BET  is the peak organisation for the business events sector in Tasmania.  BET is an incorporated, not-for-profit, membership-based organisation. Its primary role is to market Tasmania nationally and internationally as an ideal destination for business events and to bring business to its members.
• Skål Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders worldwide, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. It has approximately 22,000 members in more than 500 Skål clubs throughout 90 nations, including a club in Hobart . Its members, the industry’s managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
• Women in Tourism & Hospitality Tasmania WITH Tas provides support, mentoring and networking opportunities to all women in the tourism and hospitality industry in Tasmania, through hosting events designed to inspire, motivate and inform as well as provide an informal way for new women in our industries to meet and connect with others in a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Arts Tasmania Arts Tasmania is the government agency responsible for policy and planning for arts and culture in Tasmania and the development of the arts industry and movable cultural heritage sector. It offers several opportunities and resources to assist businesses working in the sector, including industry development and funding opportunities.
• Heritage Tasmania The  Tasmanian Heritage Council   and  Heritage Tasmania ,  in the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, work with the community to identify and protect significant historic heritage places through listings on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. They aim to help people understand, value and celebrate these places and to promote sustainable use and sensitive development so they can be used and enjoyed now and in the future. Heritage Tasmania gives free advice to owners, site managers, and developers.
• Hobart’s TVIN is officially known as the  Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre (TTIC) . It is operated by the City of Hobart, and is located at 20 Davey Street in the city.
• Wine Tasmania This peak body for Tasmanian grape growers and winemakers is focussed on building the profile of and market for Tasmania’s premium cool-climate wines. Wine Tasmania is an independent, non-profit organisation financed by its member businesses, with additional funding sourced from corporate sponsors and  the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.

One of ATEC’s key roles is to deliver relevant guidelines and tools for businesses seeking to attract international tourists.  Working in the export arena is very different to the domestic market and ATEC offers comprehensive mentoring and training programs designed specifically to bridge the gap between the local market and the global stage.

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The Tasmanian tourism industry acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita /Tasmania.

We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement.

As a tourism industry that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands.

We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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Tourism Northern Tasmania board members share their vision for the year ahead

Though last year was dubbed "year of the North", Tourism Northern Tasmania believes the region and its diverse range of experiences should always be celebrated.

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Appointed in November, organisation chairman Paul Seaman describes himself as an advocate for all things Tasmanian.

He was excited by the opportunity to continue to be part of the state's tourism industry and to assist in the leadership of Northern tourism in the role.

"We care deeply about our community and have great confidence in the power of the North," he said.

"We recognise, as a board of diverse and passionate people, that we need to think long-term sustainable growth and stay focused on the visitor experience, the communities that host them and what it means to be Tasmanian in the context of the visitor economy."

Mr Seaman has a strong personal history with the North and has a professional background working in international hotels in Sydney, Darwin and Launceston.

He said 2020 would be an opportunity for TNT to continue to "be the spark that ignites" and unites opportunities for tourism to bring social and economic outcomes to Northern communities.

They had an important role to play as the broader industry shaped the future of tourism across the next decade, he said.

One role was to share the benefits of the visitor economy beyond the main centres and icons to grow destinations in regional areas of the North.

Being engaged with communities about what it means to host visitors as Tasmanians, and embracing the state's culture, was also important. He said embracing who we are would broadly benefit the economic and social fabric of the region.

Attracting a skilled workforce was also a priority. Mr Seaman said we need to attract, develop, and retain a tourism workforce with the right skills. Thousands of additional workers will be needed over the next decade, and he said we needed to work out how to create pathways for the working population now, and into the future, to benefit from the industry.

Mr Seaman said making Tasmania an all-season destination was important, as was driving initiatives like the cool season strategy that supports year-round demand.

"Winter is a great place to be in Tassie," he said.

Mr Seaman said all of this had to be done sustainably and in alignment with our natural and built environment, to protect and enhance the reason why tourists are drawn to Northern Tasmania.

Tourism Northern Tasmania's board of directors also includes marketing gurus Rob King and Ben Davis, Launceston Airport's Michael Cullen, horticulture specialist Dr Fiona Kerslake, restaurateur Bianca Welsh, tourism leader Sarah Lebski, Bell Bay's Lou Clarke, communications and marketing specialist Gina Woodward, Parks and Wildlife representative Donna Stanley, and media manager Dan Ryan.

Many shared their their visions and goals for the year ahead:

"For me it's all about how I can, and we as an organisation, support and celebrate all those people doing those 1001 little things that make the region amazing," he said.

"I think that as a place to live, as a place to visit, as a place to experience - if we can all do that, and support the people who are doing that, that'd be a great result for 2020."

Bianca Welsh

"I think it's to continue to solidify Launceston as a destination in its own," she said.

"Tassie as a state is great, but now we need to be putting the spotlight on Launceston and the Northern regions as being an excellent destination you could fill a whole week with."

Fiona Kerslake

"I'm really keen to see the strategies around the dispersal of tourists out into regional Tassie come to fruition," she said.

"I think in the North, we've got a lot of really great authentic experiences, especially in agritourism and gastronomy and food tourism - which is the area we've got a business in.

"I'm really keen to see those come to fruition and capitalise on some of the events in the region and maximise those opportunities.

"Launnie is really growing up at the moment, so it'll be really good to see it come of age."

Michael Cullen

"I think with continued conditions we're seeing record investments in hotels and national parks," he said.

"I guess my point for 2020 is that more people come and explore Northern Tasmania and the unique regions of Northern Tasmania, but also that they come in our traditionally low season of winter, because Tasmania is a year-round destination."

"My vision for 2020 is really to support those new and emerging businesses," he said.

"There are so many new products that have come online and are coming up; there's a new gourmet wine and food tour that's launching, there's a new historic Georgian property that's opening up as accomodation in the Midlands, there's river sledding in the Meander Valley.

"I think the vision today is to give those businesses a foot up to keep them operating, because it's such a tough industry to get into."

Sarah Lebski

"From an organisational point of view, what we'd like to see is us continue to be champions for Northern Tasmania and in doing so, that we build a sustainable visitor economy for this part of the world," she said.

"Other than that, we need to continue to focus on place-making; to really be very clear about the things that we consider very precious as residents, and how we can most effectively share those attributes with our visitors."

Kasey Wilkins

Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at [email protected].

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Tourism Australia is governed by a Board of Directors who report to the Federal Minister for Tourism. The main role of the Board is to determine Tourism Australia policy and ensure that the organisation performs in a proper and efficient manner.

Michael Issenberg, Chair 

Michael Issenberg

Michael Issenberg is currently the Chairman of Tourism Australia, the Government agency responsible for promoting Australia as a business and leisure travel destination, a Director of TFE Hotels and a Director of the Star Entertainment Group, one of the leading Casino and Integrated Resort operators in Australia.

Michael is one of the most respected leaders in tourism and hospitality, with a reputation for operational excellence and the highest integrity.

As the former Chairman and CEO of Accor Asia Pacific, he led the group to more than 1250 hotels over his 26-year tenure, building a $4 billion business over 23 countries that was number one in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. With multi-national experience in the US, Australia, and Asia, he is an expert in mergers and acquisitions, having led several integrations for the Group. He is known for building strong teams and inspiring them towards a shared vision and is a lifelong champion of diversity and inclusion. He has a deep understanding of Asian cultures and the Asian consumer.

Under his leadership, Accor Asia Pacific went from the smallest contributor to the Group’s performance to the fastest-growing region, representing over 50 per cent of the global development pipeline.

Michael is a Lifetime Member of the Tourism and Transport Forum in Australia and the Cornell Hotel Society. He is a former member of the global Accor Executive Committee, and previous Chairman and Director of Reef Casino Trust and Director of the A-HTrust, with a strong understanding of public company governance. An innovator at heart, he played a pivotal role in establishing Accor Vacation Club, the region’s first points-based timeshare business.

Michael has been recognised for his vast contribution to tourism many times including an esteemed Ordre National de la Legion d’honneur and Ordre National du Mérite from the French Government. He was named Hotelier of the Year 2012, 2015 and 2020 at the Hotel Management Awards and International Hotelier of the Year 2014 at the China Hotel Investment Conference. In 2020, he was presented with the prestigious Golden Horse Award as the Annual Influential Figure of Global Cultural Tourism Industry in China.

Michael’s previous roles include Chief Executive Officer at Mirvac Hotels, Director at Horwath and Horwath and Director of Development at Merlin Properties. Michael holds a degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.

Michael was appointed as Tourism Australia’s Chair in October 2021.

Jeff Ellison AM, Deputy Chair

Jeffrey Ellison AM

Deputy chair.

Jeffrey Ellison is the Chairman of the Kelsian Group Limited. Prior to this (until January 2020) he was the CEO and MD of the SeaLink Travel Group (now part of the Kelsian Group), a position he held since early 1997.

Jeff is a Chartered Accountant, joining SeaLink following eight years in private practice. Kelsian Group is an ASX 200 listed company and operates in the tourism and transport industries. As of June 2021, Kelsian transports over 207 million customers per annum, with operations in all states of Australia, in Singapore and London.

Jeff is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ and the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been awarded a Life Membership by TTF Australia. In 2013, he won the SA Tourism Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual and was the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Central Region. Jeff has also held appointments on the Adelaide Convention Centre Board, TTF Australia, SA Tourism Commission Board and the SA Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Board. Jeff joined Tourism Australia’s Board in November 2018 and was appointed Deputy Chair of the Board and Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee in July 2020.

Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director

Phillipa Harrison 

Managing director.

As the Managing Director Phillipa is responsible for driving Tourism Australia’s strategies to create sustainable international demand for Australia’s tourism experiences and working with the tourism industry to support the sector’s recovery from the impacts of the events of 2020.

Phillipa first joined Tourism Australia in February 2017 as Executive General Manager International, to lead the organisation’s international operations for Asia, the Americas, Europe and New Zealand as well as Global Distribution and Partnerships.

Prior to joining Tourism Australia, Phillipa spent six years working for Hamilton Island Enterprises and before that held a variety of globally-focused senior sales, marketing and product roles across ecommerce, retail and wholesale tourism platforms, based in both London and Sydney.

Phillipa holds a Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication and Psychology) from Macquarie University and an MBA from AGSM at the University of NSW.

Annabel Dolphin, Director

Annabel Dolphin 

Annabel Dolphin is currently Executive Director of award-winning regional travel agency Helloworld Mackay, Mt Pleasant and Townsville. She is an experienced non-executive director with over 20 years specialising in strategic human resources, organisational design, and culture change across a diverse range of sectors, including travel and tourism.

Annabel has a passion for the not-for-profit and mutual sector and is currently President of the Saints Netball Club Mackay Inc, and Director of RACQ Group Ltd including its subsidiaries.

Annabel is Executive Director of her own firm, Dolphin Ventures Pty Ltd, where she sits on several independent advisory boards within the mining, civil construction, manufacturing, and professional services sector. Annabel has also served as a chair of TAFE. Annabel joined Tourism Australia’s Board in November 2021.

Ian Horne - Director

Ian Horne is a leading advocate for the hotel, hospitality, and tourism industry, having been the CEO of the Australian Hotels Association (SA) on two occasions for a total of thirty-one years. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Adelaide University and completed an Executive Education program at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.

His advocacy in the tourism, business events, accommodation and hospitality industry, is reflected in positions held on the boards of the South Australian Tourism Commission, including chair of audit and risk, is the Vice Chair of the Business Events Adelaide (formerly Adelaide Convention Bureau) and his appointed in 2023 to the board of the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation (AVMC) & to the SA Skills Commission.

Ian’s roles and responsibilities cover four decades and reflect the commitment, drive and dedication that go well beyond the job that has seen Ian considered a major influencer, campaigner and advocate on all policy issues that have impacted the tourism and hospitality industry.  Ian most recently was part of the team that facilitated the establishing of Accommodation Australia as the single strong voice for tourism accommodation in Australia. As the long-term CEO the Australian Hotels Association (SA) he has been a source of advocacy and leadership at industry and sector level through pandemics, a global financial crisis, globalisation and technology revolutions. A record few can match.

He has been at the forefront of change and transformation of the hotel and hospitality sector and consequently tourism. Ian joined the board in August 2023.

John Hart, Director

John Hart, OAM

John Hart is currently the Executive Chair for the Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak national body of tourism organisations in Australia. John has spent over 30 years working in the tourism and hospitality industry in operational, human resources and industrial relations roles. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in business law and a Master of Business Law and was awarded an Order of Australia medal for services to tourism in 2021.

John is Chair of Australian Grape & Wine and the National Tourism Industry Training Committee and a board member of the Australian Business Register, the Angus Knight Group, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, and Rangelands NRM.

John joined Tourism Australia’s Board in November 2018.

Penny Fowler, Director

Penny Fowler

Penny is Chair of the Herald & Weekly Times and News Corp Australia’s Community Ambassador.

Penny is Chair of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, Deputy Chair of The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and Chair of The National Portrait Gallery, and Board Member of Tech Mahindra. She is also on the Advisory Boards of Visy and the St George Foundation.

A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Penny holds a Bachelor of Business degree with a major in Marketing from Monash (Chisholm) University and is a CEW member.

Penny joined Tourism Australia’s Board in July 2019.

Georgina Richters, Director

Georgina Richters

Georgina is an Executive who has extensive and diverse experience in the corporate sector with a focus on governance, government, business, and the performing arts.  As Deputy Chair of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee, Board Trustee of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Chair of the Queensland Arts Ministers’ First Nations Arts and Cultures Panel, Georgina brings first-hand professional experience. A strategic leader, Georgina’s two-world view underpins her success in Executive, Board Member and Advisor appointments. 

Georgina is currently the Principal and Lead of First Nations Advisory, an Aboriginal owned management consulting practice between Georgina and Brisbane based consultancy Environment Land Heritage Pty Ltd. She is a former national board member for Bravehearts and an advisor to Tourism and Events Queensland First Nations Advisory Group; the Qld State Lead for PwC’s Indigenous Consulting, a world first, profit for purpose consultancy group servicing corporate, government and not-for-profit clients, and the CEO of the Western Cape Communities Trust.

She has worked in leadership roles within the public, private and not-for-profit sector and has more than 25 years experience working in Indigenous affairs at national, state, local and community levels.  Georgina has a strong record of involvement in strategically planning and developing business improvements and implementing the strategic direction and thinking of organisations.

Georgina is passionate about delivering innovative community-based and led solutions that protect, restore and build the social and economic well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Linda Wayman, Director

Linda Wayman

Linda is a Non-Executive Director with more than 25 years’ experience. She is currently the chair of Carers WA, and on the boards Carers Australia and Tennis West; and most recently she was on the boards of Tourism WA and Venues West. Her previous board experience includes the Committee for Perth, the State Library of WA Foundation (chair), Rally Australia and Football West.  

She headed up the Perth division of Southern Cross Australia, Australia’s largest broadcaster for 15 years and led Perth’s leading radio stations through a changing and competitive landscape, including the commercialisation of the business’ digital assets. Linda has held senior executive service roles in government with the Western Australian government as general manager of EventsCorp, the State’s major event agency; and in the Victorian government in roles in marketing, communications and public affairs. She has extensive experience in government policy and corporate affairs in portfolios such as tourism, small business, planning and infrastructure.

As principal of her marketing and communications business, Linda has developed strategies for destinations as varied as the City of Fremantle and Cocos Keeling Islands.

Linda is a former WA Telstra Businesswoman of the Year and Advertising Person of the Year. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company directors and has a Masters of Communication.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

*Disclaimer:  The information on this website is presented in good faith and on the basis that Tourism Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this website. Tourism Australia wishes to advise people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent that this website may contain images of persons now deceased.

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ATEC is diverse and broad and we're proud of it. We have members across all states, territories and regions of Australia, and of all sizes, offerings and experiences. Use our interactive tool to see the list of Australian Tourism Export Council members by state to find out who's a part of ATEC.

Canberra & Region Members

New south wales members, north queensland members, northern territory members, south australia members, south east queensland members, tasmania members, victoria members, western australia members, national members, atec major members.

Accor • Australian War Memorial • Canberra Airport • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Royal Australian Mint • TFE Hotels • Questacon

Canberra Business Chamber • Canberra Convention Bureau • VisitCanberra

ATEC Significant Members

Mercure Canberra

ATEC Associate Members

Canberra Guided Tours • Cockington Green Gardens • GoBOAT Australia

AAT Kings Tours • Accor • Amora Hotels & Resorts • BridgeClimb Sydney • JUCY Group 2022 • Event Hotels & Resorts • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Journey Beyond • Merlin Entertainments (Australia) • Metro Hotels • Minor Hotels • Pan Pacific Hotels Group • Skydive Australia • Sydney Zoo Pty Ltd • TFE Hotels

Arinex • Big Red Group • China Travel Service (Aust) • Contiki Holidays • GetYourGuide Australia • Goway Travel • Great Holidays Tour Services • Hotelbeds • Japan Australia Travel Service • JTB Australia/Tour East • Klook • Lion International Travel Service • Pan Pacific Travel Australia • Southern Travelnet • Viator • WebBeds

Bradfield & Scott Lawyers • Destination NSW • Exportise (NSW) • Fastrak Solutions • JMD Ross • Tourism Australia • Qantas Airways • Rezdy

Australian Cruise Group • Australian Reptile Park • Best Western Australia • Capella Sydney • Featherdale Wildlife Park • Instyle Chauffeured Limousines Aust • Park Regis City Centre Management  • Sydney Opera House

A China Travel • AAT Travel • Advance Olympic Travel • All Pacific Travel Concept - APTC • Alquemie • Ananda Travel Service • Apple Tours • AU Kings Group Australia • Auga Travel • Ausilver Tour • Australia International Culture & Education Exchange Center • Cathay Uexpress Group • Dixon Travel & Tour • E-Tours Australia • Eversun Tours & Travel • Exclusive Travel Group • Flag Travel • General Travel Australia • Golden Dragon Travel • Grand Aust Tour • Grandview Travel • Honey Travel and Tours Agency • Hot Holiday • ID Events Australia • Insight Australia Travel • Jade Express Travel • JCM Inbound Australia • MAX Explore • Myosotis Holiday • New Asia Pacific Travel • New Star Travel Services Australia • Nova Coach and Tours Pty Ltd • Ocean Blue Travel • Package Travel • Pioneer Travel (Australia) • PTC Express Travel • Quadrant Australia • Southern Crossings Australia • Southern World Australia • Winglong Travel • Wonderful Travel • Xplore Australia

Ballina Beach Resort • Broken Bay Pearl Farm • Captain Cook Cruises • Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley • Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour • Holiday Inn Darling Harbour • Holiday Inn Sydney Potts Point • Hyatt Regency Sydney • Intercontinental Sydney • Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney • Kimpton Margot Sydney • Metro Aspire Hotel Sydney • Metro Hotel Marlow Sydney Central • Scenic World • The Star Sydney • Yamba Motor Inn

ADGE hotel + Residence • AEA LUXURY • Agricultural Tours Riverina • Anderson’s Tours • Art Gallery of New South Wales • Australia In Style • Australian Attractions • Australian National Maritime Museum • Avis Budget Group • Baillie Lodges • Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley • Big Bus Sydney • Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet • Boutique Tours Australia • Catch A Crab • Colourful Collective Travel • Crowthers Coaches • Dave's Travel Group • Deanes Coaches • Go Sydney Shuttle • Halcyon House • Let's Go Surfing • Local Eyes Australia • Local Travel Planner • Moonshadow - TQC Cruises • Mount Warning Tours • Oakvale Wildlife Park • Opera Australia • Oz Jet Boating • Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary • Remington Orange • Ski Rider Hotel • Sydney Harbour Boat Tours • Sydney Oyster Tours • Sydney Princess Cruises • Taronga Zoo • Tasty Tours • Terra Nova Australia • The Venues Collection • Tourplan Pacific • Travel Active|Au Pair • Travellers Auto Barn • Tropical Fruit World • Two Feet and a Heartbeat • YHA Australia

AIFS (Australia) • Airbreeze Travel • Aussie Grand Tours •  Australia and New Zealand Holidays • Australia and Worldwide Travel • Australia Inbound by Orange Journeys • Best Price Travel • Bill Peach Journeys • CJY Travel • Elsewhere Travel • Equity Consulting Services • J.C. Travel Professionals • KKday Australia • Odynovo Tours • Pelago • Redrock Capital • The Travel Insiders

Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association 

Accor • CaPTA Group • Down Under Tours Australia • Event Hotels & Resorts • Hilton Cairns • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Journey Beyond • Quicksilver Group of Companies • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway • Sunlover Reef Cruises

Tourism and Events Queensland

Cairns Aquarium • Coral Expeditions • Crystalbrook Collection • Down Under Cruise and Dive • Entrada Travel Group • Hamilton Island • Hartley's Crocodile Adventures • Pacific Hotel Cairns • Paronella Park • Red Cat Adventures

Managing Australian Destinations

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary • Birdworld Kuranda • Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome • Cruise Whitsundays • Divers Den • Doubletree by Hilton Cairns • Frankland Islands • Kuranda Koala Gardens • Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort • Pullman Cairns International • Pullman Reef Hotel Casino • Queensland Rail/Kuranda Scenic Railway • Rainforestation Nature Park • Reef Unlimited • Rydges Esplanade Cairns • Sealink Queensland • Tropic Wings Coach Tours • Wildlife Habitat

Aroona Luxury Boat Charters • Back Country Bliss Adventures • Bay Village Tropical Retreat • Bay Villas Resort • Brett’s Outback Tasting Adventures • Cairns Adventure Group • Dundee's Restaurant on the Waterfront • Elysian Retreat • Exemplar Coaches & Limousines • Fitzroy Island Resort • Lizard Island • Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours • Mike Ball Dive Expeditions • Nautilus Aviation • Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours • Ochre Restaurant & Catering • Passions of Paradise • Pinnacle Tourism Marketing • Pioneer Travel Service • Sailaway Port Douglas • Thala Beach Nature Reserve • The Meridian Port Douglas • Villa San Michele

No Limit Adventures

Reef Information Visitor Centre • The Outback Queensland Tourism Association • Tourism Port Douglas Daintree • Tourism Tropical North Queensland • Tourism Whitsundays • Townsville Enterprise

Cairns Aquarium • Coral Expeditions • Crystalbrook Collection • Down Under Cruise and Dive • Entrada Travel Group • Hamilton Island • Hartley's Crocodile Adventures • Pacific Hotel Cairns • Paronella Park • Red Cat Adventures

Accor • Event Hotels & Resorts • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Journey Beyond • TFE Hotels • Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Crocosaurus Cove

Darwin Harbour Cruises • Kakadu Tourism • Metro Advance Apartments & Hotel Darwin

Alice Springs School of the Air Visitors Centre (ASSOAVC) • Atrip (Uluru & Darwin Chinese Tour) • Curtin Springs • Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris • ethical adventures • Mulgas Adventure Tours • Nitmiluk Tours • Outback Ballooning • Territory Rent a Car • Top End Marketing Co. • Walk Darwin

Tourism Central Australia • Tourism Top End

Accor • Event Hotels & Resorts • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Journey Beyond • SeaLink Marine & Tourism • TFE Hotels

South Australian Tourism Commission

G’day Group • Majestic Hotels • The Wilderness Group

Bunnik Travel • Diverse Travel Australia • Expanding Horizons (Aust) Pty Ltd • The Tailor • Tranquil Travel Service

Crowne Plaza Adelaide • Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre • Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets • Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions • Mount Lofty House • Rockford Adelaide • Sofitel Adelaide • The Playford, Adelaide

A Taste of South Australia • Adelaide Oval • Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary • Banrock Station • Coonawarra Experiences • Exceptional Kangaroo Island • Gemtree Wines • Kangaroo Island Ocean Safaris • Longview • McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments • Murray River Trails • National Wine Centre of Australia • North Adelaide Heritage Group • Oceanview Eco Villas • Off Piste Tours • Rawnsley Park Station • SA Eco Tours • Sacred Earth Safaris • Shottesbrooke • Small Batch Wine Tours • Southern Cultural Immersion • Taste the Barossa • Temptation Sailing • The Frames • Untamed Escapes • Wirra Wirra Vineyards • Zoos South Australia

Australia-Naturally Travel • Across Australia • Journey Beyond Holidays

Adelaide Economic Development Agency • City of Onkaparinga • Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism • Limestone Coast Local Government Association

Accor • Brisbane Airport Corporation • Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary • Event Hotels & Resorts • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Journey Beyond • Koncept Konnect • Minor Hotels • Royal on the Park Hotel • TFE Hotels • Village Roadshow Theme Parks • Wyndham Hotels & Resorts South East Asia and Pacific Rim

ANZCRO • Flight Centre Travel Group Limited • H.I.S. Australia

Bond University • Ecotourism Australia • TAFE Queensland • Tourism and Events Queensland • University of Queensland

Hotel Grand Chancellor Australia • The Star Gold Coast

Ausino Tourism • F.I.T. Travel Australia • H2Oz Travel • One Pacific • Quadrant Australia • Travello

Amora Hotel Brisbane • Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise • Kingfisher Bay Resort Group • Novotel Surfers Paradise • QT Gold Coast Hotel • Rydges Gold Coast Airport • The Breakers Absolute Beachfront Apartments • voco Brisbane City Centre • voco Gold Coast

Anita Clark Tourism • Aquaduck Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast • Australian Sunset Safaris • Australian Tourism Data Warehouse • Catch A Crab • Conxion Airport Transfer • Cultural Attractions of Australia • Discover Ipswich • Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights Australia • Great Australian Experiences • Harbour Town - Gold Coast • Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort • Lady Musgrave Experience • Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World • Mirimar Cruises • Mount Nathan Winery • Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat • Oceans Mooloolaba • Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) • Queensland Rail Travel • Sirromet Wines • Southern Cross Tours • Southern Queensland Country Tourism • Tasman Venture • Tropical Fruit World •  Wheel of Brisbane • White Ridge Farm • Your Tourism Matters

Airguides •  AKW Tours • Australian Tour Specialists • Beyond the Blue • Dreamaroo Australia • Educational Adventures/ITC Pacific • Journey Earth • Make Trips•  Mekong Travel and Tours Australia • Student Horizons • The Bob Wood Group • The Global Work & Travel Co. (Asia Pacific) • Touring Treasures

Brisbane Economic Development Agency • Bundaberg Tourism • Destination Gold Coast • Fraser Coast Tourism and Events • Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism • Tourism Noosa • Visit Sunshine Coast

Accor • Event Hotels & Resorts • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • TFE Hotels

Tourism Tasmania

Federal Group • Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority • The Old Wool Store Apartment Hotel

New World Holiday

Best Western Hobart • Crown Plaza Hobart • Hadley's Orient Hotel • Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart • Stewarts Bay Lodge

Bruny Island Safaris • Cruisin Motorhomes • Curringa Farm • Iron Creek Bay Farm Stay • Love Tasmania Tours • McDermotts Coaches • NRMA Tasmania • Overdrive Car Hire • Par Avion Wilderness Tours • Pennicott Wilderness Journeys • Premier Travel Tasmania • Tasmanian Walking Company • The Tasmanian Nature Company • Tours around Tasmania

Ausasia Travel & Service • Tasmania Sunshine Travel

Accor • Choice Hotels Asia-Pac • Event Hotels & Resorts • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Journey Beyond • Peninsula Hot Springs • TFE Hotels • THL Rentals • Zoos Victoria

Australian Tours Management • Grandcity Travel

Caravan Industry Association (VIC) • Monash University • The Gaibo Agency • Visit Victoria

Arthurs Seat Eagle • Balgownie Estate Vineyard Report and Spa • Chadstone The Fashion Capital • Extragreen Holidays Group Management • Hyatt Hotels & Resorts • Intrepid Travel • Parks Victoria • Phillip Island Nature Park • Sovereign Hill • Victoria Racing Club Limited

Abercrombie & Kent • ANZ Global Travel • Australia and Beyond Holidays • Cultural Exchange Tours • E. C. Travel • Extragreen Holidays Group Management • Odyssey Trading • Red Carpet Travel Australia • Sightseeing Tours Australia

Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne • Central Court Motel Warrnambool • Clarion Suites Gateway • Crowne Plaza Melbourne • Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins • Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank • Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders • InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula • Park Hyatt Melbourne • Pullman & Mercure Albert Park • Pullman on the Park • voco Melbourne Central

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa • Around And About Travel & Planning •  Australian Sports Museum • Ballarat Wildlife Park • CherryHill Marketing • Downunder Farmstays • Escape Discovery Adventures • Europcar • Foodie Trails • Get Lost Travel • Global Ballooning Australia • Go Beyond Melbourne • Go Ride A Wave • Go West Tours • Great Ocean Road Resort • Great Private Tours • Great Southern Touring Route • Lady Bay Resort • Langham Hotel, Melbourne • Melbourne Elite Tours • Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park •  Port Phillip Ferries •  Puffing Billy Steam Railway • Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group • See All Dolphin Swims • Sydney Melbourne Touring Inc • The Q Train Bellarine • This Is Melbourne • THSN - Tourism & Hospitality Support Network • Vinetrekker • Wine Hop And Coastral Tours • Your Exclusive Tours

39 Degrees South • Australia Pacific Vacations/Cartier World Travel • Contento Holdings • Dream Tours and Incentives Management Pty Ltd • G.E.T Educational Tours • iEnjoy Holidays • K2K Inbound • Project Matka • Smart Travels Art Business and Leisure • Turtle Down Under • Youku Travel

City of Ballarat • Destination Gippsland • Destination Phillip Island • Tourism Greater Geelong & Bellerine • Yarra Ranges Tourism

Accor • Crown Hotels & Resorts • Journey Beyond • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • RAC Tourism Assets • Rottnest Island Authority • TFE Hotels • The OZONE at Optus Stadium 

Australian Hotels Association (WA) • Caravan Industry Association (WA) • Guru Productions • Tourism Western Australia • WAITOC

HeliSpirit • Pearls of Australia • Willie Creek Pearls

Australia One • Blue Travel • Valentino Holidays • Western Safari

Captain Cook Cruises WA • Crowne Plaza Perth • Goodearth Comfort Inn & Suites • Holiday Inn Perth City Centre • Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures • Hyatt Regency Perth • Ibis Styles East Perth • Mandoon Estate • Mercure Perth • Metro Hotel Perth • Ningaloo Reef Resort • Novotel Langley Perth • Pan Pacific Perth • Pullman Resort Bunker Bay • RAC Busselton Holiday Park • RAC Cervantes Holiday Park • RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park • RAC Karri Valley Resort • RAC Margaret River Nature Park • RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort • Ramada Vetroblu Scarborough Beach • Rottnest Express

Adventure Wild Kimberley Tours • Australian Pinnacle Tours • ATG Downunder • Be Fremantle • Busselton Jetty • Busy Blue Bus Tours • Caversham Wildlife Park • D'Guy Charters • Dale Tilbrook Experiences • Dolphin Discovery Centre • DTM Tourism • Exmouth Diving Centre • Fly West Coast • Goldfields Air Services • Gravity Discovery Centre • Illegal Tender Rum Co • Kalbarri Scenic Flights/Nationwest Aviation • Karijini Eco Retreat • Kimberley Quest • Kingfisher Tours • Mackerel Islands • Mandurah Cruises • Ngurrangga Tours • Pagoda Resort & Spa • Pirate Ship Mandurah • Rottnest Fast Ferries • Seashells Hospitality Group (WA) • Segway Tours WA • Skydive Geronimo • Skyline Tours • Two Feet and a Heartbeat • Whale Watch Western Australia

A & A Tour Services • Aus Highway Travel • Easy Going Travel Services • Juyo Travel WA • Sun and Sea Travel Services • Tra-vacation world

Australia's Coral Coast • Australia’s Golden Outback • Australia's Indian Ocean Islands • Australia's North West Tourism • Australia's South West Inc. • Business Events Perth • City of Fremantle (THIS IS FREMANTLE) • City of Greater Geraldton • City of Perth • Destination Perth • Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association • Visit Mandurah

AAT Kings Tours • Accor • Alliance Airlines • Amora Hotels & Resorts • Best Western Australia • Choice Hotels Asia-Pac • Crown Hotels & Resorts • Event Hotels & Resorts • IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Ltd • Journey Beyond • Merlin Entertainments (Australia) • Metro Hotels • Minor Hotels • Pan Pacific Hotels Group • RAC Tourism Assets • SeaLink Marine & Tourism • Skydive Australia • TFE Hotels • THL Rentals • Wyndham Hotels & Resorts South East Asia and Pacific Rim

ANZCRO • Arinex • Australian Tours Management • Big Red Group • China Travel Service (Aust) • Contiki Holidays • Flight Centre Travel Group Limited • GetYourGuide Australia • Goway Travel • Grandcity Travel • Great Holidays Tour Services • H.I.S. Australia • Hotelbeds • Japan Australia Travel Service • JTB Australia/Tour East • Klook • Lion International Travel Service • Pan Pacific Travel Australia • Southern Travelnet • Viator • WebBeds

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Vote for your favorite river for fly fishing!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Fly fishing on rivers across the United States offers a diverse and enriching experience. Anglers can enjoy the tranquility of nature, the thrill of the catch, and the satisfaction of mastering the art of the sport. These 20 rivers, nominated by an expert panel as the best for fly fishing in the country, each present a unique challenge and stunning backdrops. Which river is your favorite for fly fishing? Vote once per day until polls close on Monday, June 3 at noon ET. The 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 12. Read the official  Readers' Choice rules . 

Fly fishing on rivers across the United States offers a diverse and enriching experience. Anglers can enjoy the tranquility of nature, the thrill of the catch, and the satisfaction of mastering the art of the sport....   Read More

Best River for Fly Fishing Nominees

Photo courtesy of ehrlif / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Au Sable River

The Au Sable River spans 138 miles along the northern reaches of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, with no shortage of fascinating fauna thriving within its waters. For visiting fly fishers, brown trout are a particularly common catch, with the surrounding shores offering perfect conditions for the fish to thrive each year.

Photo courtesy of georgeclerk / E+ Getty Images

Bighorn River

Montana and Wyoming

A particularly popular destination for Montana fly fishers, the Bighorn River offers a wealth of fascinating fish, flowing north from Wyoming into Montana. Brown and rainbow trout can be found in abundance on the river, which runs clear and cold in warmer months and free of ice in the winter.

Photo courtesy of Jon Bilous / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Connecticut River

Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont

Measuring in at just over 400 miles, the Connecticut River is the largest river in all of New England. It flows through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Many species of trout, from rainbow to brook to brown, thrive in this river, as do Atlantic salmon in the spring and fall.

Photo courtesy of joshuaraineyphotography / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Deschutes River

A prominent water feature that cuts through the center of Oregon, the Deschutes River has played a vital role in human society for thousands of years. Indigenous groups and 19th century settlers made full use of its rich bounty of fish. Today, the Lower Deschutes River is a popular spot for fly fishing.

Photo courtesy of DArthurBrown / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Flathead River

Spanning from the Canadian Rockies into northwestern Montana, the pristine waters of Flathead River offer incredible outdoor adventure opportunities, like kayaking and whitewater rafting. But the real draw to Flathead River is its idyllic setting for fly fishing. Whether wading or from a drift boat, you can catch plenty of cutthroat and rainbow trout.

Photo courtesy of ArtBoyMB / E+ Getty Images

Kenai River

The spectacular beauty of the last frontier is on full display along the Kenai River, a gorgeous waterway that spans 82 miles across southern Alaska. During the warmer months, its cool waters burst to life with colorful fish, with multiple salmon species thriving within its boundaries.

Photo courtesy of Elis Cora / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Klamath River

California and Oregon

One of the largest rivers in California in terms of discharge, the Klamath serves as a crucial haven for fish that spans from southern Oregon to California's North Coast. As a prominent route for migratory fish, the river brims with salmon each year, while steelhead trout serve as a particularly popular catch for anglers.

Photo courtesy of Cavan Images / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Madison River

When it comes to Montana fly fishing, the Madison River has earned widespread acclaim, thanks to its rich array of local species and plenty of areas for walk-and-wade fishing. Rainbow and brown trout are the most commonly sighted, but you'll also find westslope cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish during a typical float trip.

Photo courtesy of Endless River Adventures

Nantahala River

North Carolina

Visitors to Nantahala National Forest can spend their day exploring the splendor of the Nantahala River, a scenic water feature that runs just under 50 miles across western North Carolina. The river is idyllic for fly fishing year-round — even in the summer, as the river is fed by cold water streaming down from Nantahala Lake up in the mountains.

Photo courtesy of Adam Mustafa / iStock / Getty Images Plus

North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia

Spanning across North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, New River is known as the second oldest river in the world. It's also renowned for its fast-running water and large rocks, prime conditions for smallmouth bass, but you'll also find walleye, muskie, carp, and trout. 

Photo courtesy of mihtiander / iStock / Getty Images Plus

North Platte River

While the North Platte River spans more than 700 miles, flowing from northern Colorado through Wyoming and into western Nebraska, those in search of incredible fly fishing opportunities should pay a visit to its Wyoming portion. Here, you'll find rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout in abundance.

Photo courtesy of GROGL / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Northern California's Pit River, flowing through Modoc, Lassen, and Shasta counties, has been frequented for thousands of years, thanks to its abundance of wildlife and aquatic life. Rainbow trout is one of the many fish species that call the river home, inviting fly fishers in droves year-round. 

Roaring Fork River

Planning a fly fishing trip across the Centennial State? Don't miss out on Roaring Fork River. While this sprawling waterway is brimming with whitefish and brown, cutthroat, and rainbow trout, it also offers the added bonus of spectacular natural beauty, with dazzling landscapes on full display in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Hawkins / iStock / Getty Images Plus

San Juan River

A crucial water source in a particularly arid region, the San Juan River provides some much-needed relief to the flora and fauna of Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The water's steady and consistent temperatures year-round make it conducive to fishing in all four seasons. Anglers will find rainbow, brown, and cutbow trout, as well carp, pike, and bass.

Photo courtesy of pamelasphotopoetry / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Snake River

Idaho and Wyoming

Spanning more than 1,000 miles across four states, Snake River serves as one of Idaho's most prominent water features. Many agree that South Fork of the Snake River is the best place for fly fishing. Here, you'll find cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout.

Photo courtesy of Jared Kreiss

South Fork Holston River

Tennessee and Virginia

Cutting across Virginia and Tennessee, Holston River is an angler's dream. And when it comes to fly fishing, South Fork Holston River is tough to beat. Thanks to the river's many insects, fish can spend their days feasting to their hearts' content, imbuing the river with particularly large rainbow and brown trout for anglers to encounter.

Photo courtesy of SageElyse / iStock / Getty Images Plus

South Platte River

Spanning from the Rocky Mountains into the Great Plains, the South Platte River serves as a prominent water feature for Coloradans and Nebraskans alike. For fly fishing, the section known as the "Dream Stream" (between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile reservoirs) is the ultimate location, producing some of the largest trout along the river.

Photo courtesy of Bryson City NC Chamber of Commerce

Tuckasegee River

Visitors to western North Carolina will find prime fly fishing along the Tuckasegee River, or "the Tuck," as local residents call it. The river offers about 5 miles of Delayed Harvest waters, meaning fly fishers will find plentiful species, to include a variety of trout and bass, as well as crappie, muskie, walleye, and perch.

Photo courtesy of Yakima Valley Tourism

Yakima River

Located in Washington and the state's only blue ribbon trout stream, the Yakima River is known for its gorgeous river canyon scenery and stellar fly fishing. Anglers can take to the shorefront in search of steelhead trout and sockeye salmon, two particularly prominent species in the region.

Photo courtesy of samuel howell / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Yellowstone River

Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming

While Yellowstone National Park draws millions of tourists each year, fly fishing enthusiasts flock to the rushing waters of Yellowstone River to try their hand at landing a cutthroat, rainbow, or brown trout amidst a wide range of other species. With roughly 200 miles of prime trout waters, there's many opportunities to claim your spot for a peaceful day of fly fishing.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Alen Baker is the Founder of the Fly Fishing...   Read More

Alen Baker is the Founder of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City, North Carolina, served on the NC Wildlife Federation Board for 10 years and as a volunteer leader in Trout Unlimited for over 30 years. He is the author of  Rocky River TU: The First Twenty-Five Years ,  Our Fly Fishing Heritage: The Making of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians , and  My Flyfishing Playbook.  Baker is a member of the Southern Trout Magazine – Legends of the Fly Hall of Fame, Southern Fly Fishing Hall of Fame and Rocky River Trout Unlimited Hall of Fame.    He has fished for trout in over a dozen states and as far away as Tasmania and traveled to Nova Scotia for Atlantic salmon but overall prefers Southern Appalachian fly fishing for trout.   

Angelica Talan

Angelica Talan is the founder & editor of two...   Read More

Angelica Talan is the founder & editor of two popular Washington, D.C. based blogs,  Angelica In The City  and  Clarendon Moms . She has written articles for Arlington Magazine, DUN magazine and has been featured on several Washington, D.C. based television news channels to share family travel tips. A passionate fly fishing enthusiast, Angelica is one of the current brand ambassadors for  TakeMeFishing.org  and a brand ambassador for the Trout Routes an app dedicated to making fly fishing more accessible and a brand ambassador for Fishewear, a women’s line of fly fishing clothing and accessories based out of Alaska. Angelica has served over three years as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Liason for United Women On The Fly and is excited to continue to connect with others in the great outdoors and to be a source of positive inspiration for those interested in learning to fly fish. You can connect with her on  Instagram ,  TikTok  and  X . 

Anietra Hamper

Anietra Hamper is an award-winning travel writer...   Read More

Anietra Hamper is an award-winning travel writer and photographer from Columbus, Ohio, and owner of  ThreeWordPress.com . Having spent nearly 20 years as a top-rated, EMMY nominated television news Anchor and investigative journalist, Anietra is an Ohio native who now uses her journalistic skills to uncover the best in travel experiences. She specializes in outdoor adventure and extreme fishing in the U.S. and around the world. Follow Anietra on  Facebook ,  Twitter  or  Instagram . 

Dan Rice has been a fly angler for more than...   Read More

Dan Rice has been a fly angler for more than thirty years, and has held such occupations as a Hydrologic Technician for the USGS in Wyoming, and Manager of Fly Fishing Trip Sales for Montana Angler in Bozeman. He is the author of The Unpeopled Season: A Journal of Solitude and Wilderness , and editor of the book Familiar Waters: A Lifetime of Fly Fishing Montana . He is the founder of Riverfeet Press Books , and lead guide at Riverfeet Fly Fishing in Abingdon, VA. Learn more here: www.riverfeetflyfishing.com

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.