New Tourism and Events Queensland leadership

• Grant Hunt AM is the new chair of Tourism and Events Queensland board
• Appointment builds on the extensive pandemic recovery work of outgoing chair Brett Godfrey

Leading advocate for nature-based and Indigenous tourism Grant Hunt AM is the new chair of the State’s leading tourism marketing agency, Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).

Mr Hunt’s appointment was announced by Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. 

Recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2020 for exceptional contribution to the tourism Industry, Mr Hunt assumes the leadership of the TEQ board from 13 September.  

Mr Hunt is a currently a director of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, the G’Day Group and Discovery Parks.

He has previously served as the chair of Tourism Tasmania, Tourism Northern Territory and the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse.

Mr Hunt is also a former Tourism Australia board member.

Outgoing chair Brett Godfrey has led the TEQ board since 2017.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:

“Firstly, I want to thank Brett Godfrey for his leadership and support for Queensland’s tourism industry.

“Brett’s innate understanding of tourism, marketing and innovation helped Queensland operators navigate the pandemic’s rollercoaster of uncertainty and opportunity.

“He leaves a record-breaking visitor economy and big shoes to fill.

“Grant Hunt joins the TEQ board to drive once-in-a-generation opportunities for Queensland tourism operators ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“With expertise in First Nations and nature-based visitor experiences, Grant is well-credentialled to back Queensland to shine with an $11 billion international visitor economy by 2032.”     

Grant Hunt AM said:

“I’m honoured to be appointed to this role and know how important the coming years will be to Queensland as we build towards what is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2032.

“There is a real sense of optimism in the industry and I’m determined that TEQ capitalises on that through innovative marketing campaigns and a calendar of world-class events which will bring even more visitors to our beautiful state.

“What Queensland has can be found nowhere else on earth – whether it be the Great Barrier Reef and our ancient rainforests, to the vast Outback, to our pristine national parks and two of the world’s oldest living cultures.

“This is exactly what travellers across Australia and the world are demanding right now, which means we are perfectly placed to capitalise on this decade of opportunity.”

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said:

“Myself and the team at TEQ are excited to have someone of Mr Hunt’s calibre join as Chair and we look forward to learning from his guidance and leadership in coming years.

“Our recently released TEQ Blueprint outlines our strategic approach through to 2032 and I’m excited to execute that with Mr Hunt’s guidance as we work to take the state’s visitor economy to new heights.

“Mr Hunt’s knowledge of the regions and his whole-of-state approach will be absolutely crucial in achieving what was outlined in the Blueprint and I’m excited about what the future holds.”

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