Mr de Waal said he had been unexpectedly offered the role and would leave TTNQ knowing that the organisation was making great strides towards its vision of being recognised by the global tourism industry as Australia’s leading Destination Management Organisation.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Alex de Waal will leave the TTNQ team for a new career challenge with a national company in June.
Mr de Waal said he had been unexpectedly offered the role and would leave TTNQ knowing that the organisation was making great strides towards its vision of being recognised by the global tourism industry as Australia’s leading Destination Management Organisation.
“We have a highly motivated and competent team that has achieved significant success in the past three years,” he said.
“This globally relevant success includes the attraction of international investment, new international services and the inception of the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef to engage citizens from all parts of this planet to take action to learn about, conserve and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef.”
“I have had the great pleasure of playing a role in facilitating the development of our TTNQ team who, in conjunction with our members and the Cairns community, have worked together to deliver a significant resurgence in the Tropical North Queensland visitor economy.”
“During difficult times, the principles of our tourism operators that have forged our destination’s success, which include hunting as a pack, pioneering new solutions, confidence, a can-do attitude, pride and humility, have been in plain sight for the world to see.”
“I am extremely proud of having been a catalyst for positive change in Tropical North Queensland and enormously appreciative of the hospitality the Cairns community has extended in my favour.”
“It has been especially rewarding to see the development of the TTNQ team who have proved that given the right resources and encouragement everyone can deliver extraordinary outcomes.”
“There are too many individuals to thank, however, I would like to recognise that the single most important factor which has enabled TTNQ to drive the Cairns visitor economy has been the trust and significant incremental investment made in TTNQ by the Cairns Regional Council, so ably led by Mayor Bob Manning.”
“I will continue to lead the TTNQ team until May 31 and in the interim I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our Chairman Max Shepherd, the Board of Directors, every single TTNQ star, our members and the Tropical North Queensland community at large.”
Mr Shepherd said Alex had been the driving force behind many of the region’s recent successes, working tirelessly for the members of TTNQ and the broader Tropical North Queensland tourism industry.
“We wish him all the best for the challenges in this next step up in his career, and have every confidence in his strong success and of his continued support for this region in his new role,” he said.
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The TTNQ Board will immediately start a recruitment process seeking a new CEO.”
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