Visit Victoria announce new chair

VICTORIA’s primary tourism company has announced a new chair.

Visit Victoria has announced former head of Gilbert and Tobin, Janet Whiting, as the successor to Paul Little, who left to become chair of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

Ms Whiting said she was excited about taking on her new role.

“I greatly look forward to helping grow tourism in our great state – this is a privileged role and I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to continue the tremendous work of my predecessors.”

In 2015, Ms Whiting was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the community through the arts, health and major events sectors. She was also inducted into the 2015 Victorian Honour Roll of Women for her work in law.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) chief executive Felicia Mariani said she believed Ms Whiting was a wise choice for the company.

“Ms Whiting has had a long association with tourism in Victoria, as a member of the Visit Victoria board, with the Victorian Major Events Company, Tourism Australia and Victorian Arts Centre Trust.

“Visit Victoria guides and champions our tourism industry and we are pleased that a person of Ms Whiting’s professional calibre and experience will be leading our sector.”

Ms Mariani also acknowledged Mr Little’s contribution to the growth of the sector in his time as chair.

Tourism in Victoria indirectly employs more than 232,000 people, including 85,000 in regional Victoria.