Matt Cameron-Smith to head up Airport Development Group
Matt Cameron-Smith will leave Journey Beyond, where he became chief commercial officer earlier this year, to join Airport Development Group, which owns and operates multiple airports in the Northern Territory and the airport resort in Darwin while also managing a property portfolio worth $1 billon.
Both Darwin and Alice Springs Airports are run by Airport Development Group and the company debuted Australia’s first airport resort in late 2023, following a $30 million renovation of the side-by-side Novotel and Mercure hotels at Darwin Airport.
“Matt brings a strong combination of commercial leadership, tourism expertise and a deep appreciation of the Northern Territory’s visitor economy and connectivity,” said Airport Development Group chair, Mike Mrdak.
“The board is confident he will build on the strong foundations established at ADG and work closely with our people, customers, industry and stakeholders to support the continued growth of our airports, tourism and commercial assets and the Territory economy.
“Importantly, Matt will relocate to Darwin and is looking forward to becoming an active contributor to the Territory community.”
Before his promotion at Journey Beyond, Cameron-Smith led Voyages Tourism Australia, which operated Ayers Rock Resort at Uluru, before it was acquired by Journey Beyond. He also previously worked for Tourism Australia for over seven years, with the majority of his tenure there spent as general manager of trade marketing.
Altogether, he has more than 35 years’ experience in the visitor economy.
Cameron-Smith will join Airport Development Group on February 1, 2027.
His appointment is the latest in a series of connected talent movements across the visitor economy – the current CEO of Airport Development Group, Tony Edmondstone, is set to become the new CEO of Sunshine Coast Airport, while the current CEO of Sunshine Coast Airport, Chris Mills, will soon head up Hamilton Island, after its acquisition by Blackstone earlier this year.
Leanne Harwood steps up at IHG
Leanne Harwood is IHG Hotels and Resorts’ new senior vice president of global sales.
Based in Atlanta in the USA, Harwood has been promoted from her previous role as senior vice president and managing director of luxury and lifestyle for IHG across North, Central and South America. She now leads IHG’s global sales.
Originally from New Zealand, Harwood has been with IHG for more than 21 years, joining the company in 2005 as the area director of sales and marketing for Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
“Leanne’s deep commercial expertise and track record of building high-performing teams makes her the ideal person to lead our global sales organisation,” said IHG’s CEO of the Americas, Jolyon Bulley.
“Her global experience, strategic perspective and passion for hospitality will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen and grow our customer partnerships across our business.”
GM appointed for Atura Oran Park
EVT has appointed Shannon Craig as general manager for the soon-to-open Atura Oran Park, located in close proximity to Western Sydney International Airport.
Already the area general manager for New South Wales for the company, Craig will take on the GM role alongside her existing responsibilities.
She has been with EVT in various roles for more than 20 years, working across the Rydges and QT brands, while having oversight of Atura properties in recent roles.
Atura Oran Park is opening this month, with 184 rooms and seven event spaces, with the largest able to host banquets for 300.
The hotel is 20 minutes’ drive from Western Sydney International Airport, which also opens this month.
New director of sales for Capella Hotel Group in Australia and New Zealand
Lauren Tesch has joined Capella Hotel Group as its regional director of sales for Australia and New Zealand.
Tesch came over to the hotel group from The Appointment Group (TAG) where she was commercial director for Asia Pacific for two and a half years. She has more than two decades of experience in the travel industry, having worked for the likes of Flight Centre Travel Group, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Qantas.
She is based in Sydney in her new role.
