Mellisa Gillies has joined industry association MEA as its new chief executive, following the departure of Peter McDonald at the end of October.
Gillies has extensive experience in not-for-profits and associations and tourism and the visitor economy. She has worked in Asia for airlines and hotels in addition to stints in publishing and entertainment.
“Mellisa brings a wealth of experience across [the] tourism, travel, and events industries, and I’m confident her leadership will be instrumental in guiding MEA into 2025 and beyond,” said MEA’s chair, Vanessa Green, in a recent MEA newsletter.
Gillies has already started her role at MEA.
Over at Tourism WA, Anneke Brown has been appointed managing director.
Brown has over two decades experience in the travel and tourism sector, with experience ranging from Flight Centre to hotel general management and hospitality and tourism talent solutions.
She is also a former commissioner for Tourism WA and the current chair of WA’s Women in Tourism and Hospitality association and a board member of the Rottnest Island Authority.
“Anneke’s comprehensive and varied leadership experience and advanced knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry will strengthen the incredible work of Tourism WA in promoting the state as a highly desirable travel destination,” said Tourism WA chair Di Bain.
“The managing director position is instrumental in leading the marketing of Western Australia as a world-class holiday and events destination and inspiring people to visit us from around Australia and the world.”
Selected from over 120 applicants, Brown will begin a five-year term as head of the state’s tourism agency on December 9.
“I have been a passionate advocate of Western Australia and the local tourism industry for 25 years, and I am thrilled to soon lead Tourism WA as a world-class tourism organisation that continues to deliver outstanding results for the state,” said Brown.
“There has never been a more exciting time to work in WA tourism, with the sector injecting a record breaking $18.3 million in visitor spend into the WA economy in year ending June 2024.
“I look forward to elevating this success to even greater heights as the agency embarks on a ‘Dream Decade’ for WA tourism, through the continued implementation of the WA Visitor Economy Strategy which aims to increase the size of the visitor economy to $25 billion by 2033.”
