Hotel and Tourism Advisory Board

Close industry ties are critical to the Hotel and Tourism Management’s success. In order to ensure industry relevance the Executive Advisory Board acts to:

• Support the School’s strategic plan
• Enhance the School’s public image
• Ensure industry best practice

Furthermore the board seeks to both facilitate and enable the achievement of the School’s mission and objectives by lending their support, energy, expertise and influence. The Board is also a great source of mentors for students in the School and their extensive networks ensure our students are up-to-date with the industry’s latest trends.

Executive Advisory Board

Board Members

Barry Robinson
CEO & Managing Director
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific
Wyndham Hotel Group (South Pacific)

With more than 30 year’s hospitality experience, Barry has a vast knowledge of the hotel industry, from development to branding, management, franchising and operations. Barry has been instrumental in facilitating the recent expansion of Wyndham Hotel Group in Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. Barry has worked  for some of the world’s largest hospitality companies including Swissôtel Worldwide Partner Hotels, Choice Hotels International and, since 2003, with Wyndham Worldwide.

Rajeev Menon
Area Vice President – India, Malaysia, Maldives and Australia
Marriott International

Having joined Marriott International in March 2001, Rajeev has worked in a variety of positions in Australia and India before commencing in his current position in August 2007. Prior to joining Marriott, Rajeev worked for companies including Stamford Hotels and Resorts Australia and New Zealand, Radisson Hotels and Resorts Australia, and Welcomgroup Sheraton Hotels in India. His outstanding work in the industry has resulted in him receiving numerous awards including General Manager of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year.

Bob East
Chief Executive Officer
Mantra Group

Bob East’s leadership has seen Mantra Group grow from 50 properties in 2006 to more than 130 properties in Australia and New Zealand. As CEO, Bob has strengthened the brands of Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree and his strategic business model has developed the group into one of the most impressive accommodation providers and marketers in Australasia. Bob has enjoyed an extensive career in the domestic and international tourism sector. He holds a MBA and sits on a variety of boards including the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF), the Gold Coast Football Club (AFL) and the Bond University Advisory Board for Tourism.

Bruce McKenzie
Chief Operating Officer, Australasia
IHG

Bruce oversees operations of IHG-managed, owned and franchised hotels in Australasia (Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific). Prior to his current appointment, Bruce joined IHG as the Regional Senior Vice President, Operations for IHG Greater China in 2004. In that role, Bruce led the China Operations team in driving successful business performance across the expanding hotel portfolio, which grew by more than 70 hotels during his tenure. Bruce was the recipient of the Outstanding Multi Unit Leadership Award at IHG’s 2007 Asia Pacific Leadership Conference. He was also named on the Top 10 Hoteliers list in China by Hotel Modernization Magazine and China Tourism Hotel Association in 2008.

Bruce has over twenty-five years of successful hospitality experience during which he has worked for three global hotel groups in senior positions in management, finance and sales and marketing across Asia Pacific. Prior to joining IHG, he served as Director of Operations for Mirvac Hotels Pty Ltd, Vice President Asia Pacific for Choice Hotels International, and Managing Director, Indonesia for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

David Gibson
Former CEO Asia Pacific, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

For the past 12 years David Gibson has led the growth of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels to see it become the leading tourism property services group in Asia Pacific and globally. He personally advises many of the leading hotel investment and operating groups to help them achieve their tourism goals.

John Lee
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Chief Executive

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Chief Executive John Lee has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of TTF’s policy, public affairs, research and corporate services agenda. John’s career to date has spanned a range of industries, including public transport, major events and tourism. John has extensive senior management experience in both the public and private sectors, including heading up major government departments in NSW. As the former head of the NSW public sector, John has an intimate understanding of public policy and decision making in government.

John van der Wallen
Senior Fund Manager, CPHF, Colonial First State Global Asset Management
Executive Advisory Board (Chair)

John oversees the investment performance of the group’s hotel fund and the team responsible for its delivery. The Fund owns the three large Marriott hotels located in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane with a combined assets value of approximately $350 million.

Olivia Wirth
Head of Corporate Communication, Qantas Airways Limited

Olivia Wirth is the Head of Corporate Communication for Qantas Airways Limited. Olivia has over a decade of experience in tourism and public affairs working for the Transport and Tourism Forum Australia, Australian Tourist Commission, Tourism Australia, and the former Minister for Small Business and Tourism, the Hon. Joe Hockey.

Simon McGrath
Vice President, Accor Australia

Simon McGrath’s role encompasses both operational and corporate office responsibilities across Accor’s Australian hotels. Simon joined Accor in 2005 as General Manager, Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns and was later appointed Regional General Manager, also overseeing all hotel operations in Northern Australia and Perth. Prior to joining Accor, Simon worked for Rydges Hotels and Resorts across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East.

Sture Myrmell
Vice President Hotel Operations and Purchasing, Carnival Australia

Sture Myrmell is responsible for maximising passengers’ onboard experiences for P&O Cruises Australia. Sture was previously based in Los Angeles as Director of Hotel Operations for Princess Cruises where he was responsible for hotel operations, including the conversion of Australia’s first superliner Pacific Dawn.

Tony Ryan
Principal, Ryan Capital Advisors
Executive Advisory Board (Vice Chair)

Tony Ryan, principal of Ryan Lawyers has over 23 years experience providing commercial and legal services to the real estate and hotel/tourism industries. Tony provides strategic and practical advice, assisting Australian and international companies to expand locally and overseas by acquiring, financing and disposing of assets & corporate entities.Tony is retained solicitor and adviser for the Property Council of Australia and TTF Australia, the peak bodies for the property and tourism industries.

Victor Tiffany
Head of Hospitality and Food & Beverage

Victor Tiffany joined Tabcor’s Casinos Management Division in early 2009 as Head of Hospitality and Food & Beverage. He has been heavily involved in the $860 million redevelopment currently underway at Sydney’s Star City Casino & Hotel and is also in charge of Hospitality at Tabcorp’s casino properties in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville.

Prior to relocating to Sydney, Victor worked with a number of leading hotels/casinos in the United States, including the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, California and the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

Regional Advisory Board 

Raelene Barry
Executive Manager – Human Resources, Acting General Manager
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Raelene Barry was appointed Executive Manager – Human Resources at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre since before the opening and also has the additional role of Acting General Manager.

Raelene has 23 years experience in the hospitality industry and promotes a strong consultative approach with staff believing that personal attention is the key to understanding the importance of each individual, and fostering their personal growth.

Karen Anne Bisdee
Director of Human Resources
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific 

As Director of HR, Karen leads a team of 14 HR professionals. The HR team covers the entire suite of services including attraction and selection, learning and development, workplace health and safety, grievance management, management advice, workplace change, workforce planning and policy and procedure.

Karen has worked at Ascott Serviced Apartments in Singapore, the Landmark London Hotel and was HR Manager for Princess Cruises with 1300 employees for two years. Karen has completed a postgraduate degree in Australian Employment Relations as well as holding a Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel and Tourism Management and is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

Neeraj Chadha
General Manager
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa 

Neeraj Chadha is an alumni of the Institut Hôtelier “César Ritz” in Switzerland. During his stay in Switzerland, he worked at hotels like Noga Hilton, Geneva and Beau Rivage Palace, Lausanne.

In 1992 he joined the Sheraton Towers Southgate in Melbourne and later transferred to Sheraton On The Park, Sydney, when ITT Sheraton bought the hotel.

Neeraj thereafter worked for Radisson Resort on the Gold Coast and then moved internationally for 10 years, where he worked in countries such as India and Sri Lanka for Hilton and Marriott.

His last assignment before accepting the role of Director Australia for Marriott International and General Manager of Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa was with Hilton Worldwide where Neeraj was Regional General Manager, India. 

Jade Tamblyn
Project Manager- People Management Systems
IHG 

Jade commenced her career in hotels working as a Human Resources Coordinator with Marriott Hotels in 2007. In 2009, Jade joined InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) as the Human Resources Manager at Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise. During this time Jade maintained a strong focus on supporting career development opportunities for students dedicated to gaining exposure to the Industry.

Since January 2012 Jade has taken on a new role with IHG where she is now working as the Project Manager for their People Management System. 

Lindsay Wallace
Director – Corporate Relations and Destination Management
Gold Coast Tourism Corporation Ltd 

Lindsay Wallace is currently the Director of Corporate Relations & Destination Management at Gold Coast Tourism having previously served as Executive Director Marketing and Board Director. Ms Wallace has extensive experience in tourism and marketing as a Board Member of Events Queensland Gold Coast and former Marketing Manager of Mulpha Sanctuary Cove (Developments) Pty Limited and Palazzo Versace. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Business in Hospitality Management at the University of Queensland and Visiting Teaching Fellow in Event Management at Bond University 

Peter Colahan
Chief Executive Officer
Business Tourism Australia

Peter has been involved in the tourist industry here on the Gold Coast for the past 25 years. Peter has his own business - Business Tourism Australia representing the Mice meetings. He is the Director of Weltravel a leading Inbound Tour Operator. He is also a Director of VFS Global a division of Kuoni Travel.

Peter Doggett
Pricipal
In 2 Tourism

Peter Doggett is one of the Gold Coast’s longest serving tourism pioneers with 33 years experience in the theme park/hotel business.

He has served on numerous industry boards and committees and is committed to industry training and education, and therefore welcomes the opportunity to sit on Bond University’s HRTM Regional Advisory Board.

Daniel Gschwind
CEO
Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Daniel is the CEO for the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC). QTIC is Queensland’s peak tourism industry body with more than 3,500 regional members.
Daniel is a board member of the National Tourism Alliance (NTA) and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC). He represents QTIC on various tourism committees, including the Tourism Forecasting Council, the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council and the tourism committees of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and of the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA). He is an Adjunct Professor to the School of Tourism at the University of Queensland. He is the Honorary Consul of Switzerland for Queensland.

Daniel holds an honours degree in economics from the University of Queensland and has worked as a senior economist with Queensland Treasury. He has previously run a yacht charter operation in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean for ten years.

Judy Hill
Accommodation Division Manager
Queensland Hotel Association
Regional Advisory Board (Chair)

Judy has significant years experience in the hotel, hospitality, travel and tourism industries holding senior management positions in several of these industries. As a past Board member of Women in Tourism (Gold Coast) Inc Strategic Management Committee and Ballina Shire Tourism Advisory Board together with the position of Executive Development Programs Manager at Southern Cross University has provided her with a broad understanding of the tourism sector and the importance of connecting with the industry.

For a number of years Judy was the President of Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce in Northern NSW and regularly is asked to be the Master of Ceremonies at many local, regional, state and interstate networking and Government functions including the Prime Minister’s dinner. She is the Director of her event management company Upfront Events and Marketing Pty Ltd.
Judy currently is the Accommodation Division Manager of Queensland Hotels Association where she provides specialist accommodation and tourism industry advice to their members. She has strong relationships with Tourism Queensland and Government ministers both at a State and Federal level.

Gerard Knight
General Manager,
Radisson Resort
Regional Advisory Board (Vice Chair)

Gerard was born and educated in the UK achieving a degree in Hospitality Management at University in Edinburgh and a post graduate Diploma in Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Marketing. After this Gerard worked with the Embassy Hotel Group and the Mount Charlotte Thistle Group before emigrating to Australia in 1991.

In Australia he studied once again, gaining a Master of Accounting at Macquarie University and then full Certified Practicing Accountant status. During his studies he managed a small conference centre on Sydney's Northern Beaches before joining Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific ten years ago. He has been General Manager of their Gold Coast Radisson property for the last six years.

Jonathan Fisher
CEO
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

CEO, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with 20 years experience managing tourism businesses in sensitive environmental landscapes from the Lake District in the UK via the Hunter Valley to the Gold Coast. Originally qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, Jonathan holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Building Conservation and a Masters in Marketing Management. Jonathan is acutely aware of the impact of the human interaction in the environment and on wildlife from his time as Operations Manager at Taronga Zoo to his current role as CEO of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Positioning Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary as the lead eco-tourism attraction on the Gold Coast, the Sanctuary has ventured into adventure tourism with the recent introduction of Adventure Parc Green Challenge High Ropes course whilst the opening of the Wildlife Hospital precinct to the public continues Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s renaissance as an iconic international tourism attraction

Cherie McGill
Group HR Manager
Mantra Group

Having held senior Human Resources positions with both Saville Hotel Group and P&O Australian Resorts, Cherie has been able to combine her 15 years of operational experience with her HR knowledge to ensure the ongoing development of Mantra Group’s work force. Cherie is responsible for the human resources practices for all brands. 

Gary Smith
Managing Director
Tourism Leisure Corporation and Kingfisher Bay Resort Group

Gary is currently Managing Director of Tourism Leisure Corporation and the Kingfisher Bay Resort Group of companies. Gary has been actively involved at director level in the Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village project on Fraser Island since its inception in 1987. Gary in March 1996 formed Tourism Leisure Corporation to expand his involvement in the tourism industry.

Today Tourism Leisure Corporation (TLC) directly and indirectly employs over 600 people. In addition to the KBRV Group of Companies, TLC operates the Undara Lava Lodge and tour operation in the Gulf Savannah region of Tropical North Queensland pursuant to a management agreement which commenced in December 1998. Undara has 28 Railway carriages converted into lodge rooms, camping ground, a bar/restaurant and sole rights to operate ranger guided tours into the Undara Lava Tubes. TLC also managed the Twin Waters Golf Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, an 18 hole resort course.

From 2003 to 2007, Gary was an independent director of the then publicly listed Tourism Company S8 Limited, which over that time grew to manage over 20,000 holiday letting apartments in Queensland, and acquired a number of Australian and New Zealand icon travel agencies- Harvey World travel, Travelscene American Express and Gullivers Travel (New Zealand). S8 was acquired in January 2007 by MFS Ltd. Gary was appointed to the Board of Flight Centre Limited in November 2007 as a non executive director.

Grant Hunt
Chairman
Anthology

Grant Hunt’s tourism career began in 1988 in management roles with Mirage Gold Coast Resort and Sanctuary Cove Resort. He then spent a decade as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Voyages Hotels and Resorts before departing the company in April 2006. In this role, Mr Hunt was responsible for taking Voyages from a single resort operation to a company comprising 21 hotels across 16 destinations in some of the most ecologically and culturally sensitive locations in Australia. In particular, he is known for his visionary concept, Longitude 131, the country’s first true luxury tented wilderness camp. Mr Hunt has served on many boards and industry panels including Tourism Northern Territory, the Australian Tourism Export Council and Indigenous Tourism Australia (current). Mr Hunt is currently working on multiple projects related to tourism development, both nationally and internationally

Marion Charlton
General Manager Commercial and Terminals
Gold Coast Airport

Marion Charlton is the General Manager Commercial and Terminals at the Gold Coast Airport, one of Australia’s fastest growing airports . In addition to managing the airport terminal operations, Marion is responsible driving the revenue side of the business through its retail, property and ground transport portfolios. Marion’s first job was in Dublin with the Irish Airport Authority. She moved to Sydney in 1990 and took up a position with Sydney Airport. Marion worked in Atlanta Airport for the 1996 Olympic Games. The lessons she took back from Atlanta were put into a paper which formed the framework for the Sydney Airport 2000 Olympic Operating Plan which was a huge success. In 2008 Marion was awarded the International Woman’s Day Leadership Award for the Gold Coast.

Marcus Hanna
General Manager
Sofitel Gold Coast

Marcus Hanna began his hospitality career at the Regent Hotel in Sydney (now the Four Seasons) as a Banquet waiter whilst studying Hospitality Management at Ryde Catering College in Sydney, NSW.

Over the last 17 years, Marcus has worked in Sydney, Melbourne, London, Malta and San Francisco for a variety of hotels including the InterContinental Hotel Group, Accor and Sofitel.
Marcus joined Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach in his current role as General Manager in April 2011.