11th June 2009

Ecotourism Australia announces new CEO

Ecotourism Australia has pleasure in announcing the appointment of Ms Kym Cheatham as its new Chief Executive Officer effective from August 2009.

In announcing the appointment, Mr Rick Murray, Acting Chairman of Ecotourism Australia, welcomed the appointment of Ms Cheatham after an extensive recruitment search.

“The Board of Ecotourism Australia were excited by both by the calibre and number of applications received for this position,  which we believe is a strong indication of the broader understanding and crucial importance of the issues of both sustainability and certification in our Industry. After an exhaustive process, we are confident that Kym brings a breadth of skills and experience to lead Ecotourism Australia into the next era of operation and opportunities” said Rick Murray.

“Kym brings a wealth of Tourism industry experience in senior marketing and management positions in the Tourism industry, including roles in Associations, Convention Bureaux and in both the private and public sector. She has had extensive experience in membership organisations and in managing multiple stakeholder interests.”

“The Board feels that Kym’s strong background and understanding of the key issues facing the Tourism industry both domestically and internationally make her ideally qualified for this role. The organisation has been without a CEO for over 8 months- and we are very grateful for the team in the office and their enthusiasm and professionalism through this period.   On behalf of the Board of Ecotourism Australia, I would like to especially thank Business Development Manager, Ms Kristie Gray who has been Acting CEO over this period.”

Ms Cheatham has had fifteen years experience in the Tourism industry in a variety of roles including; Executive Director of Tourism Industry Council (ACT & Region), Northern Territory Convention Bureau Manager and Whitsunday Convention Bureau Manager. Most recently, Kym has been employed by Tourism Australia as the Communications Manager at Tourism Research Australia.

She has a Master in Tourism Management, University of Canberra, and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Communication and English, University of Queensland.

Contact:
Rick Murray, Acting Chairman, Ecotourism Australia Ltd, 0417 809 095 or middlestar@bigpond.com


ENDS

For more information contact:
Kym Cheatham, Chief Executive Officer,
Ecotourism Australia
E: ceo@ecotourism.org.au M: 0427 279 414
www.ecotourism.org.au
ABN 92 909 103 274

The Ecotourism Australia vision: "To be leaders in assisting ecotourism and other committed tourism operations to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially and culturally responsible".
Ecotourism Australia was formed in 1991 as an incorporated non-profit organisation, and is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry. Ecotourism Australia aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.

Membership includes tour operators, ecotourism accommodation, tourism planners, protected area managers, academics and students, regional tourism associations and travellers.
Ecotourism Australia’s certification program ECO is a world first. It provides objective monitoring and auditing of organisations’ ecotourism claims and provides travel agents and tourists with an assurance of best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and quality ecotourism experiences.

Ecotourism Australia recently added ROC (Respect Our Culture) Certification for Indigenous Tourism operators and Climate Action Australia Certification to help the tourism industry work towards a more sustainable future.

In 2008, Ecotourism Australia was awarded the prestigious World Travel and Tourism Council “Tourism for Tomorrow” Award for Conservation at the World Tourism Summit in recognition of Ecotourism Australia’s significant contribution to the conservation and preservation of natural heritage.