New CEO honoured to be chosen

The Board of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation today announced the appointment of Carmel Beattie to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
The Chairman of the Board, Tata Crocombe, delivered the announcement advising that Ms Beattie brings to the Cook Islands a wealth of knowledge on international markets, destination marketing and development and a strong international network of contacts that will prove invaluable to the fulfilment of the industry’s vision for tourism in the Cook Islands.
Ms Beattie, an Australian, comes to this role from Tourism New South Wales where she is Group Manager International Markets. Currently managing 7 offices across the world; a multi million dollar budget ; the development and ongoing management of over 12 international airline partnerships; tactical campaigns in all major markets and the development and promotion of the NSW tourism products and experiences; Ms Beattie will bring this expertise and her international insights to the Cook Islands role. Prior to joining Tourism NSW, she had consulted to the organisation for a period of over 2 years delivering strategies and major events in both Sydney and internationally for the organisation.
Ms Beattie has also held a senior role with Sydney Olympic Park Authority as Director Visitor Experience having responsibility for place management, the development of one of the largest Visitor Information Centres in Australia, the restructure of the tourism offering, the development of new product options and as consumer advocate for all activities within the precinct.
At the Sydney Opera House, Carmel developed the tourism product and formed the Tourism Department consolidating 3 areas of the offering under one team. She was also the key spokesperson on the Sydney Opera House experience and was part of the management team that delivered the 25th birthday celebrations, New Year’s Eve 2000 and the Olympics.
From 1991 – 1997, Carmel lived in London initially as the Manager UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and Africa for what is now Tourism Queensland and later as principal of Travel Marketing Associates, a representation company marketing product and small destinations in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and the US throughout Europe.
Originally from Brisbane, Ms Beattie has lived in Sydney for the past 12 years and while she loves the city, is extremely excited at the prospect of relocating to the Cook Islands. “I am honoured to be chosen for this role in such a spectacular destination and am looking forward to starting to work with the Board, the industry, our partners and the community to bring the Board’s Tourism vision to reality. It is not often that someone is afforded an opportunity such as this and this is one of the reasons that I am committed to destination marketing. To have the chance to facilitate a destination’s growth, to work with the industry to provide employment and training opportunities for the people of the Cook Islands, to mentor the youth to ensure a strong succession plan for Tourism in the country and to provide economic benefit to the community at large is such a privilege and to do all that in Paradise is a dream!”
Ms Beattie will take up her role in June
Tourism Board Media Release

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?