Tourism Tasmania chairman Grant Hunt accepts role with rival organisation

THE boss of Tasmania's peak tourism marketing body has accepted a role with a rival organisation.

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THE boss of Tasmania's peak tourism marketing body has accepted a role with a rival organisation.

Tourism groups are calling for Tourism Tasmania chairman Grant Hunt to clarify his future with the body, amid concerns his new job is a conflict of interest.

Mr Hunt has been appointed chairman of Sunshine Coast Destination Limited, a not-for-profit membership-based marketing body charged with developing and managing tourism in the Queensland region.

Tourism Minister Scott Bacon learnt of the appointment yesterday but did not respond to questions about the Mr Hunt's role with Tourism Tasmania.

"Mr Hunt has informed my office today of his appointment to the Sunshine Coast Tourism organisation," Mr Bacon said.

"He is an extremely experienced and respected leader within the tourism industry.

"It is not surprising his expertise would be sought after."

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said the industry needed clarification about Mr Hunt's future with Tourism Tasmania.

"I am not convinced that you can be the head of two rival tourism bodies and do both jobs properly," Mr Hodgman said.

"The Minister, Scott Bacon, needs to provide some certainty for this important industry as we head into the peak tourism season."

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the new appointment would "certainly raise eyebrows".

"This was news to me and it came as a bit of a shock," he said. "It certainly raises questions about his tenure with Tourism Tasmania."

Mr Martin said he would consult TICT board members to determine their position on the appointment.

Mr Hunt was appointed Tourism Tasmania chairman in 2011 after chairing Tourism Northern Territory.

He also chairs the Commonwealth Iconic Sites Task Force and is on the board of the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

He previously sat on the Tourism Australia board and developed Voyages Hotels and Resorts

Mr Hunt is also chairman of Anthology, a travel property group he started in 2008.

He could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

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