BY JAMES WILKINSON
Well-known Hotelier Tony South has been appointed Chairman of Tourism Accommodation Australia in a significant boost to the industry association.
South is well known for his various roles at InterContinental Hotels Group for more than a decade and his appointment as Chairman of TAA is set to give the association “guidance and leadership”, according to Australian Hotels Association National President Peter Hurley.
“Tony South is a leader in the accommodation industry in Australia and abroad. His willingness to take on the Chairmanship of TAA gives me great confidence in the plans we announced in December last year and shows we are on the right track to meet the needs of our accommodation members,” Hurley said.
South’s roles at IHG included Chief Development Officer for Asia-Pacific between 2008 and 2011, Senior Vice President of Development and Asset Management from 2002-2008 and prior to that, he was Chief Operating Officer for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from 2000-2002 (when the company was called Six Continents).
He is also a former board member of Tourism NSW and a Deputy Chair of the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF Australia).
“I am looking forward to working with Managing Director Rodger Powell and the new TAA board to meet the commitments made to the industry by the AHA with its recent establishment of Tourism Accommodation Australia,” South said.
“TAA has already established a positive and encouraging strategy to address the needs of Australian hotels.
“I’ve agreed to come on board as Chairman because I believe an effective industry association in Australia will deliver substantial benefits to members at a time when our industry has enormous potential.
“A number of leading Hoteliers have already agreed to join the new TAA advisory board and I am looking forward to announcing further appointments in coming weeks,” he said.
TAA’s Managing Director Powell added: “Tony will be a tremendous asset to TAA, as all who know him will attest.
“With his extensive Australian and international industry resume and experience in government relations and industry advocacy, Tony is the ideal Chairman to help lead TAA in delivering better outcomes for the industry.”