Dean Gould quits Gold Coast Tourism to take up new role at Southern Cross University

Destination Gold Coast executive director of corporate affairs and strategy Dean Gould has resigned from the city’s peak tourism body on the eve of new CEO Annaliese Battista’s arrival.

DEAN Gould has resigned from Destination Gold Coast to take up a position at Southern Cross University.

Mr Gould joined Gold Coast Tourism, now known as Destination Gold Coast, three years ago as executive director of corporate affairs and strategy.

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His resignation comes as former City of Perth economic development and activation boss Annaliese Battista prepares to take over from outgoing Destination Gold Coast CEO Martin Winter on Monday.

A former editor of the Gold Coast Bulletin, Mr Gould spent five years working as director of marketing and communications at Griffith University before he joined Gold Coast Tourism Corporation.

Destination Gold Coast’s Dean Gould and Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan. Picture Glenn Hampson

A former member of the Gold Coast Tourism board, Mr Gould declined to comment on his resignation or new role.

Destination Gold Coast was flooded with applications for its top job after Mr Winter resigned from the position he has held for 10 years in March.

New Gold Coast Tourism CEO Annaliese Battista.

GCT chairman Paul Donovan said Mr Gould would finish at GCT in eight weeks.

“We’re sad to see him go,” he said.

“He’s made a significant contribution to the organisation but he believes this is a great career opportunity for him.”

His resignation follows the departure of Destination Gold Coast chief marketing officer Jan Hutton, who resigned in May to take up a position with Destination NSW in Sydney in June.

Mr Gould and Ms Hutton were widely considered leading contenders to replace departing Destination Gold Coast CEO Mr Winter

Outgoing Destination Gold Coast CEO Martin Winter

Mr Donovan said Ms Hutton’s position was yet to be filled.

“We haven’t filled her position. Once Annaliese comes on, it will give her a chance to pick her team,” he said.

Mr Donovan said an official farewell event would be held for Mr Winter at the tourism body’s Broadbeach office on Friday — his final day on the job.

“Martin has done an outstanding job in the 10 years he has been here,” he said.

“It’s the end of an era. He’s made a huge contribution to tourism on the Gold Coast.”