People in Brief

Many are desperate to ensure business continues as usual. “If people will not travel,” said Ariel Cohen of California-based business travel agency TripActions, “the economy will grind to a halt.”

COVID-19 is a radical wake-up call to this way of thinking. Even if Cohen is right, that economic reality now needs to change to accommodate the more pressing public health reality.

It is a big economic hit, but crisis invites creativity. Grounded business travellers are realising virtual business meetings work satisfactorily. Conferences are reorganising for virtual sessions. Arts and cultural events and institutions are turning to live streaming to connect with audiences.

In Italian cities under lockdown, residents have come out on their balconies to create music as a community.

Local cafes and food co-ops, including my local, are reaching out with support for the community’s marginalised and elderly to ensure they are not forgotten.

These responses challenge the atomised individualism that has gone hand in hand with the consumerism of travel and tourism. This public health crisis reminds us our wellbeing depends not on being consumers but on being part of a community.

Staying closer to home could be a catalyst awakening us to the value of eating locally, travelling less and just slowing down and connecting to our community.

After this crisis passes, we might find the old business as usual less compelling. We might learn that not travelling long distances didn’t stop us travelling; it just enlivened us to the richness of local travel.

Out of crisis comes creativity

Freya Higgins-Desbiolles is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management at the University of South Australia. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Peter Burns is the new interim Chief Executive at SALT - Sport And Life Training.

Tourism industry veteran Bruce Baird has returned to the Chairman’s role at the industry peak body, the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF).

Jenn Benden has been appointed Team Leader - Placemaking at New Zealand project managers Jacobs. Michelle Buckworth has taken on the role of Manager, Media and Communications at Stadiums Queensland.

Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook has joined the Queensland Academy of Sport as Executive Director of Elite Success and Partnerships.

Steve Cox is the new Chief Executive at Destination NSW, the government agency responsible for driving the NSW tourism and major events sector.

Tania Fountain has been appointed Communications Manager at Endeavour Turf Professionals (ETP-Turf).

Australian Swim Schools Association Chief Executive Ross Gage has stepped away from his current leadership role with the Association to “pursue other interests” in the swim school sector.

Kristen Jackson has taken on the role of Manager Pandemic Response and Emergency Management at Cardinia Shire Council. Former Western Australian Government Minister Bob Kucera has been announced as the new Chairperson of the state’s Combat Sports Commission.

Steve Loader has taken on the role of Chief Executive at Sport NSW.

Jetts Australia Chief Executive Elaine Jobson has been appointed a Director of Sunshine Coast-based aged care and wellbeing specialist ComLink.

Daniela Kraus has taken on the role of Chief Optimism Distributor at XVenture (Global).

As it prepares to open its doors in Auckland, the All Blacks Experience, the joint venture between New Zealand Rugby and Ngai Tahu Tourism, has appointed Phil McGowan as Business Manager.

Phillip Mills has started a new position as Executive Director at Les Mills International. Lori Modde is the new Chief Executive at Outdoors NSW.

The Australia Council has appointed Alice Nash as their Executive Director Arts Investment.

David Norman has returned to Australia from his role as Head of Fitness with Virgin Active Health Clubs South East Asia to launch Fitbodonline - offering the new GYM SAFE range of hygiene products (see page 66) - and Pilates & Co.

Visit Sunshine Coast has appointed destination tourism specialist, Jo Prothero, as their Head of Marketing.

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has appointed events and digital technology expert, Claudia Sagripanti as their new Chief Executive.

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame has appointed Adrianne Sarkozy as its new Chief Executive. Wayne Smith has joined the Cairns Convention Centre as Business Development Director.

Christchurch City Council has named Murray Strong as Chair of the company that will manage the construction of the city’s new 25,000-seat multi-purpose stadium.