Phillipa Harrison to Lead Tourism Australia's International Network

Phillipa Harrison

Tourism Australia has confirmed the appointment of Phillipa Harrison as its new Executive General Manager of International, where she will oversee a network of international offices spanning 12 countries and manage airline relationships and distribution channels.

Ms Harrison is currently General Manager Sales and Marketing at the Rawson Group. She has more than 20 years' experience working within the tourism industry – both within Australia and also the United Kingdom.

Prior to her current role, Ms Harrison spent six years working for Hamilton Island Enterprises and before that held a variety of senior sales, marketing and product roles at Viator Systems (Sydney), Base Group (Sydney), STA Travel (London), Contiki Holidays (London), and Trailfinders (London).

Tourism Australia Managing Director John O'Sullivan, said Ms Harrison was highly respected within the Australian tourism industry and would be a valuable asset to Tourism Australia.

"Phillipa is well-known within tourism circles and also to Tourism Australia, most recently through the work she has done helping to build Hamilton Island into the internationally acclaimed tourism business it is today,” Mr O'Sullivan said.

"She is genuine, commercially focused and known for her collaborative management style, which are all strengths that align closely with the culture we are building here at Tourism Australia.

"Her experience of managing diverse, multi-cultural global teams, in addition to the extensive knowledge she has of international distribution makes Phillipa ideally suited to this role," Mr O'Sullivan said.

Ms Harrison said she was looking forward to returning to an industry that was dear to her heart.

"I've admired the achievements of Tourism Australia over the years and I'm looking forward to being part of the team that continues to build the attractiveness of, and access to, our fabulous country into the future,” she said.

Ms Harrison will commence her new position in February 2017. Katherine Droga will continue to act in the role until Ms Harrison commences her new role.