TTNQ Chair Wendy Morris said Mr Olsen was chosen both for his extensive experience and his familiarity with Tropical North Queensland, having previously served as the TNQ regional manager at Tourism and Events Queensland.

“He was the founding chair of the Savannah Way, served on the Queensland Heritage Trails Network Project Steering Committees for Laura, Chillagoe, Hou Wang Temple and Mamu Tropical Skywalk, and worked on experience development plans for the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics,” she said.

“As General Manager of Consulting at EarthCheck from 2008-2018, Mark worked extensively with the industry in TNQ, across Australia and globally in growing aviation access, experience development, design and delivery of major investments, and destination and experience marketing.”

Mr Olsen said he is looking forward to the opportunity to build on Tropical North Queensland’s reputation as a global leader in creating new visitor experiences and sustainable tourism.

“The global travel market is changing so rapidly, making it an opportune time for innovative regions like TNQ with its reputation for awesome nature-based activities, authentic Indigenous experiences and adventurous spirit,” he said.

“Customers want to make a real connection through authentic experiences that they can’t do anywhere else and they want to travel sustainably – Tropical North Queensland easily ticks those boxes.”

Mr Olsen will start in his new role on September 23 to allow for a thorough handover before Ms Close leaves in mid-October.