Published: 12 October 2021
Tourism WA is pleased to announce the appointment of Carolyn Turnbull to the Managing Director role.
Carolyn brings more than 20 years of international leadership experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, and joined Tourism WA in 2020 as the Executive Director - Industry, Aviation and Markets.
Tourism WA Chair Di Bain welcomed Carolyn to the role.
“With extensive experience internationally in the tourism and hospitality industry, Carolyn will provide great leadership, particularly as we look to reignite our pre-COVID momentum and welcome the return of visitation” Di said.
Carolyn will take the helm of Tourism WA from Derryn Belford who has acted in the role since late 2020.
“In the 13 years Derryn has been with the department, she has made an outstanding contribution to Tourism WA and the tourism industry,” Di said.
“Her dedication to the industry became all the more apparent when Derryn stepped up to oversee Tourism WA in late 2020, supporting the department during what has been a challenging time for the tourism industry."
Derryn has thanked the industry for its support throughout her career at Tourism WA.
“I have been fortunate to meet and work with some wonderful people at Tourism WA – I am incredibly grateful for this,” Derryn said.
“I wish Carolyn all the best as Managing Director. While I know there is still so much to do to help the industry in its ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, I know Carolyn will tackle the task head-on with the help of an amazing and resourceful team."
Carolyn’s new duties as Managing Director will start on Monday 18 October.
“I am delighted to be heading up Tourism WA as we continue to work with industry to elevate the state as a leading destination of choice when we are ready to welcome our domestic and international markets back to WA,” Carolyn said.
"I acknowledge the wonderful groundwork and the milestones that have been achieved through Derryn Belford’s leadership of the agency over the last 12 months.
“I recognise there are many challenges ahead, and I am proud to be entrusted to lead Tourism WA over this important phase of recovery, as we accelerate progress towards a new era for our tourism sector."
The appointment of Tourism Western Australia’s Managing Director is an important step in continuing the agency’s relationship with Tourism Australia.
Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison welcomed Carolyn’s appointment to the role.
“Carolyn’s appointment comes at a critical time for tourism as Australia prepares to reopen to the world, and at Tourism Australia we look forward to working with her," Phillipa said.
“Carolyn brings a wealth of experience, a passion for our industry, and the energy that will be key to leading and driving Tourism WA’s interests forward.”