The Governor of Western Australia has appointed Di Bain as the new chairperson for the state’s tourism board.
Bain (pictured above) has been a Tourism WA board member since May 2019 and has more than 20 years’ experience in the communications industry. She is a current Councillor at the City of Perth, a board member for Perth Zoo and is a former chairperson of Activate Perth.
Joining Bain on the Tourism WA board are Anneke Brown and Janelle Marr.
Brown has extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, particularly in the global luxury hotel sector. Until recently, she was the general manager of COMO The Treasury hotel and has held senior positions with Aman Resorts International and the iconic Longitude 131 resort at Uluru.
Marr is the managing director of Step Beyond Strategy and has 25 years’ experience as a corporate strategist and advisor with companies such as EY and KPMG.
She is also a Telstra Business Award winner, a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Manny Papadoulis will continue as Tourism WA’s deputy chairperson and Kevin Brown’s term has also been extended. Kia Dowell, whose term is due to end on 31 March 2022, also remains on the board.
WA Tourism Minister David Templeman acknowledged the contribution of former board members to Tourism WA and the tourism industry – in particular, Nathan Harding, who has served on the board since 2012 and as chairperson from 2017 until 30 June 2021.
“I sincerely thank the retiring board members, Nathan Harding, Valerie Davies, Tracey Horton, Karen Priest, John O’Sullivan and Linda Wayman for their contribution to the tourism industry in WA,” he said.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Di Bain on being appointed chair, and welcome Anneke Brown and Janelle Marr to the board.
“The tourism industry in Western Australia accounts for more than 109,000 jobs and, before the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed $11 billion in visitor spend to the state’s economy.
“I look forward to working with the appointees and the existing Tourism WA team to build on the success of the past and help set the tourism industry on a positive path for the future.”
The WA government has also begun recruiting for a new managing director for Tourism WA, following the departure of Brodie Carr late last year.
The board appointments come as WA prepares to reintroduce a hard border with Queensland from 3pm (AWST) today due to the state’s escalating COVID-19 situation.
