TGGB names four for its board

TOURISM Greater Geelong and the Bellarine has added four location-based members to its board of directors.

The regional tourism body held its annual general meeting last week, electing Lisa Cunningham and re-electing Terry Jongebloed as the Geelong members, and James Murphy and Sophie Bone as the Bellarine members.

Mrs Cunningham, who operates tour business Mustang & Co, said she wanted to contribute to success of the enviable Geelong tourism region.

“It will be incredibly exciting to have the Spirit of Tasmania relocate to GeelongPort,” she said.

“We have all suffered during the COVID pandemic more than other industries and the important thing is to create and promote a positive future to entice visitors.”

Mr Jongebloed, from Clyde Park Vineyard, said he had enjoyed participating in the development of TGGB’s 2021-2025 plans.

“While many members have been and are currently still working through extremely challenging conditions, it has been exciting for tourism’s future in working with closely with industry members and tourism support bodies for stronger ongoing regional outcomes.”

As director of Sea All Dolphin Swims, Great Ocean Road Surf Tours, and the founder of Southern Ocean Environmental Link, Mr Murphy said he had a wealth of hands-on experience, practical knowledge and invested interest into the stable growth and development of the region.

“My diverse tourism experience offerings have provided a great breadth of understanding for the various markets accessing our region, and how to best reach these markets in a way that provides the greatest benefits for our regional economy and the environment that supports it.”

Ms Bone, who co-owns the BIG4 Bellarine Holiday Park, said now was the best time to join the TGGB board, “amidst tourism uncertainty, wavering consumer sentiment, business hardship and volatile economic outlooks”.

“Invariably, through hardship, comes an unbridled determination and willingness from business operators and the community to think with agility, creativity and more collaboratively – and that’s an exciting proposition.”

TGGB will hold its conference on November 30 at Rydges Geelong, which will have chief executive officer and author Holly Ransom, “real talk” speaker and mentor Tom Robb, and digital entrepreneur and marketer Susannah George as guest speakers.

A limited number of tickets are still available. For more information or to book, head to the TGGB website.