Experienced tourism executive John O’Sullivan has been appointed the new chair of Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), replacing outgoing chair Grant Hunt AM.
The appointment was announced by Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell as part of a broader refresh of the TEQ board, which will also welcome new directors Krista Adams, Jacob Cassidy, Damien Massingham and Roderic Rees.
O’Sullivan brings more than 30 years’ experience across travel, tourism, media, sport and entertainment to the role. He was managing director of Tourism Australia from 2014 to 2019, chief executive of ASX-listed adventure tourism operator Experience Co from 2019, and has served as chief executive of Events Queensland and chief commercial officer of Football Federation Australia. He is also chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Most recently he was the director of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority in the Middle East.
Announcing his appointment on LinkedIn, O’Sullivan said he was “really honoured” to have been appointed by Minister Powell as the next Chair of TEQ.
“I’d also like to congratulate Grant Hunt AM on a great tenure,” he said. “Grant is a legend of the industry and someone who I have always looked up to.”
O’Sullivan said he was looking forward to working with TEQ chief executive Craig Davidson and fellow board members to continue delivering the Destination 2045 tourism strategy.
Powell thanked Hunt for his contribution to Queensland tourism during his term as chair.
“Grant’s leadership has helped position our state as a world-class destination, and we’re grateful for his dedication to the industry,” Powell said.
“I’d also like to welcome John O’Sullivan as the incoming chair. John brings more than 30 years’ experience across travel, tourism, media, sport and entertainment, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to grow Queensland’s visitor economy.”
Hunt was appointed TEQ chair in September 2022, taking over from Brett Godfrey following his pandemic recovery-focused tenure. A leading advocate for nature-based and Indigenous tourism, Hunt has served as a director of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, the G’Day Group and Discovery Parks, and previously chaired Tourism Tasmania, Tourism Northern Territory and the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse.
The new-look board will focus on delivering TEQ’s Destination 2045 strategy as the state builds towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Powell saying the government wants “more visitors choosing Queensland, staying longer and exploring more of our state”.
