Victoria's peak tourism industry body, the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), has welcomed the appointment of Mr Bob Annells as its new Chairman. Mr Annells takes over from retiring Chairman, the Honourable John Button.

Mr Annells brings to the role a significant wealth of experience in the tourism and transport industries. He has previously served as Chief Executive of both Tourism Victoria and Tourism Tasmania, and oversaw in both States a major overhaul of the tourism industry and its representative bodies. Particularly in Victoria, the reforms to the industry undertaken while he was Chief Executive have formed the basis for widespread reforms in the tourism industry nationally.

Mr Annells has also served as a Board member of the Australian Tourist Commission and as Chairman of the Northern Territory Tourism Commission, and has been Chairman of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust for many years. He has also served two terms as Chairman of the Australian Standing Committee on Tourism.

In addition, Mr Annells was author of two key reports, one on winery tourism and another on domestic tourism that lead to the establishment of See Australia. Currently, Mr Annells is Chairman of Connex Group Australia, operator of Melbourne's train system and the largest privately owned public transport operator in the Asia-Pacific region.

The appointment follows the retirement of VTIC's inaugural Chairman, the Hon. John Button, who presided over the Council's establishment and early development.

Among VTIC's significant achievements since its inception are:

• Securing the State Government's commitment to establish a world-class, high capacity Convention Centre in Melbourne that will underpin the important business tourism and conference market;
  
• Achieving further tourism funding in this year's Economic Statement, including land tax relief for caravan park operators, and funding of almost $8 million for marketing of Victoria's cultural attractions;
  
• Securing Victorian Government funding of over $40 million for tourism-related expenditure in last year's Budget;
  
• Successful lobbying for State Government tort law reforms in order to combat high public liability insurance premiums, especially for adventure tourism and heritage rail operators;
  
• Contributing to the successful lobbying for the Federal Government's Tourism White Paper, which committed funding of $235 million over five years, with an emphasis on attracting major international and business events;
  
• Successfully lobbying for a $10 million Tourism Recovery Package in the aftermath of the Ansett collapse and September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001;
  
• Consulting with the Victorian Government to develop and implement the Advantage Victoria! Tourism industry plan in 2002;
  
• Achieving an $18 million boost for Victoria's tourism industry in the Government's Building Tomorrow's Businesses Today package in 2002; and
  
• Establishment of the VTIC Quarterly Performance and Outlook Survey, the first successful attempt at tourism industry performance monitoring in Victoria.

Background - What is VTIC?

The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak policy council for the Victorian tourism industry. Mr Bob Annells chairs the Council, which represents key industry associations and operators, providing a united industry voice with a special focus on small business operators.

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