The State Government has appointed three new members to Tourism Western Australia’s Board of Commissioners. 

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said Elizabeth Gaines, Tracey Horton and Ian Thubron would provide a wealth of extra experience to the board and would elevate its total membership back to 10.

“All three appointees will bring valuable skills and knowledge to the table to complement the existing skill set,” Dr Hames said.

“The composition of the Tourism WA board is a deliberate mix of professional people from within and outside the tourism industry, who have different yet complementary skills and experiences.”

Currently the board has extensive expertise in tourism business, events, law, marketing, corporate governance, financial management, travel trade, training, entrepreneurship and hotel operations.

Ms Gaines has significant international experience in the tourism sector, as well as all aspects of executive and financial management at a senior executive level, and significant experience as a non-executive director.

Ms Horton is a company director with 30 years of international experience in business, leadership and senior management.  Her experience at the highest levels of education in WA in particular will help the board in attracting international students; a significant potential visitor target market.

Mr Thubron is a seasoned global marketing and business leader with 25 years of international experience in consumer marketing, branding and communications, particularly in Asia.  His extensive experience in marketing into China, in particular, will provide the board with further insights into attracting Chinese visitors.

“The State Government, through Tourism WA, has a strategy in place to increase the value of tourism to $12 billion by 2020, and the board has a key role in setting the strategic direction for the agency to achieve this,” the Minister said.

Each new board member will be appointed for a term of 12 months to November 1, 2016.   In addition, Nicole Lockwood has been reappointed as a commissioner for a term expiring on June 30, 2018.