John O’Sullivan Appointed Chair of Tourism and Events...

[BRISBANE, September 8, 2026] — Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has officially transitioned its top leadership, installing seasoned executive John O’Sullivan as the new Chair of the organization. This appointment, confirmed by Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell, arrives at a pivotal moment for the state's visitor economy as it balances long-term strategic growth with the immediate logistical demands of upcoming global sporting events.

The leadership shift is not merely a change in personnel but part of a comprehensive board renewal designed to sharpen the state's competitive edge. O’Sullivan succeeds Grant Hunt AM, whose tenure began in September 2022. Hunt's leadership followed the pandemic-recovery era managed by Brett Godfrey, and he is credited with elevating Queensland's profile as a premium global destination.

Grant Hunt AM Leaves Legacy of Indigenous and Nature Tourism

The departure of Grant Hunt AM marks the end of a term characterized by a deep integration of nature-based and Indigenous tourism into the state's core offerings. Hunt brought an extensive portfolio of governance experience to the role, having served as a director for Discovery Parks, the G’Day Group, and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.

Beyond his work in Queensland, Hunt held significant leadership positions across the Australian tourism landscape. His previous chairmanships included roles at Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism Tasmania, and the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse. Industry reports indicate that his tenure provided the stability necessary for the state to pivot from crisis management to sustainable growth.

While the leadership is changing, the state's fundamental trajectory remains steady. The transition is designed to provide a blend of continuity and fresh perspective, ensuring that the momentum gained over the last four years is not lost as the state enters a high-pressure planning phase for the next decade.

John O’Sullivan Leverages Three Decades of Global Expertise

The appointment of John O’Sullivan introduces a leader with a diverse professional pedigree spanning more than 30 years. His career has intersected with tourism, travel, sports management, media, and entertainment, providing him with a holistic view of how destination branding interacts with commercial entertainment and athletic events.

O’Sullivan is perhaps best known for his tenure as the managing director of Tourism Australia, a role he held from 2014 to 2019. Following this, he transitioned to the private sector in 2019, serving as the chief executive of Experience Co, a company listed on the ASX specializing in adventure tourism.

His previous executive experience also includes serving as the chief commercial officer for Football Federation Australia and the chief executive of Events Queensland. This specific combination of sports and event management experience is viewed as a critical asset for the state as it prepares for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Furthermore, O’Sullivan has maintained strong ties to regional development through his role as chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland. He also brings an international dimension to the TEQ chairmanship, having served as a director for the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority in the Middle East.

Refreshed TEQ Board to Execute Visitor Economy Goals

Alongside the appointment of the new Chair, Minister Andrew Powell has announced a broader refresh of the TEQ board. The leadership group now includes directors Krista Adams, Jacob Cassidy, Damien Massingham, and Roderic Rees.

This newly formed board will collaborate closely with TEQ Chief Executive Craig Davidson. O’Sullivan has emphasized that the immediate priority for the board will be seamless collaboration with Davidson and the other directors to ensure the current implementation phase of the state's tourism strategy remains on track.

The restructuring of the board is not intended to signal a pivot in strategy, but rather to provide the governance capacity required to meet ambitious visitor economy targets. The primary objectives remain:

Increasing the total volume of international and domestic visitors.
Extending the average length of stay for tourists within the state.
Encouraging visitors to explore regions beyond the primary, well-known tourism hubs.

Destination 2045 Strategy and the Road to 2032

The overarching blueprint for the state's growth remains the Destination 2045 tourism strategy. This long-term framework serves as the North Star for all development, ensuring that short-term wins do not compromise the environmental or social sustainability of the region over the next two decades.

However, the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent a massive immediate catalyst. The refreshed board is now tasked with ensuring that the infrastructure, branding, and visitor services are capable of handling the surge in global attention and foot traffic that accompanies an Olympic host city.

By linking the Destination 2045 goals with the 2032 preparations, the Queensland Government aims to use the Games as a springboard to permanently elevate the state's status. The focus is on creating a legacy where the "Olympic bump" translates into long-term, sustainable visitation patterns.

Why This Matters: The Impact on Travel and Investment

For the average traveler and tourism operator, this leadership shift suggests a move toward more sophisticated, event-driven tourism. The appointment of a chair with deep roots in both Tourism Australia and Football Federation Australia indicates that Queensland will likely lean heavily into "sport-tourism"—the practice of attracting high-spending visitors through major athletic events.

From a logistical standpoint, the focus on "longer stays" and "regional exploration" suggests that upcoming government initiatives will likely include new incentives for travelers to venture into the hinterlands and outback, rather than remaining in the Gold Coast or Brisbane corridors. This creates significant opportunities for regional hospitality businesses and boutique tour operators.

Furthermore, the inclusion of international experience from the Middle East (via the Ras Al Khaimah role) suggests that TEQ may be looking to diversify its source markets, potentially targeting more aggressive growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions to reduce reliance on traditional markets.