The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, welcomes the Tourism Australia Board's appointment of Andrew McEvoy to the role of Managing Director.
Minister Ferguson said: "Mr McEvoy brings a great deal of relevant experience to this very important role and he joins Tourism Australia at a time of great change and opportunity.
"Tourism Australia's most important immediate task is to maximise the benefit to the Australian economy from the global economic recovery and the associated increase in business and leisure travel.
"Australia is consistently ranked as one of the world's most attractive destinations, so converting this desire into Australian travel as the global economy recovers is one of the big challenges facing Tourism Australia at present.
"At an organisational level, Tourism Australia has the opportunity to continue to become a more flexible and dynamic marketing authority.
"To achieve the results and goals expected by Australian tourism operators and the Australian taxpayer, the agency will have to continue to find new and improved ways of responding to a challenging and constantly changing global market.
"While the global recession has presented unprecedented challenges to both Tourism Australia and the Australian tourism industry, a period of growth is around the corner.
"I wish Mr McEvoy and his team well for the period ahead and I look forward to working with him."