Intrepid’s Sarah Clark has been named the new CEO of Tourism Tasmania, following an extensive national recruitment search.
Tasmanian-born and raised, Clark brings to the role global experience as a leader in the tourism industry specialising in travel and marketing across multiple continents.
She joins the agency from Intrepid Travel, where she is currently managing director of ANZ and a member of the global core management team.
Intrepid has appointed its chief sales officer Brett Mitchell to take over Clark’s position as ANZ MD.
She has also been Intrepid Travel’s marketing general manager, MD for APAC and MD of Intrepid Hotels.
Clark’s tourism career kicked off at Topdeck Travel as a tour guide before she moved quickly into senior roles including leading the global youth business as global general manager and as vice president for STA Travel in Dallas, leading strategy for air, product, marketing and
online performance.
Her deep understanding of sustainable travel from an industry operator and customer perspective will help her steward Tourism Tasmania’s development of the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy, setting the direction for Tasmania’s tourism sector and the positive impact it can contribute to the state.
“As a proud Tasmanian, I am honoured to take on the role and provide leadership to realise Tasmania’s vision and plan of being a global leader in sustainable tourism,” Clarke said.
“We are a destination on the top of many Australians travel lists, with international travellers quickly catching on. People are looking for enriching and meaningful travel experiences and Tasmania is unlike anywhere in the world.
“We are beautifully positioned to thrive as travel recovers with our world class gastronomy, natural environment, arts, and unique culture.
“I look forward to leading the incredible and very capable team at Tourism Tasmania and working with the wider tourism industry to drive positive social, cultural and economic impact to Tasmanians through a strong and sustainable visitor economy”
Clark will officially take the reigns as Tourism Tasmania’s CEO in early 2023, taking over from John Fitzgerald who has led the agency for the past 10 years.