Economic Recovery Series Episode 3: Exploring Our Own Backyard – Domestic Travel and Tourism and Opportunities in Regional Australia

Elysse Morgan hosts The Business on ABC TV and ABC NEWS Channel from Mondays to Thursdays. An award-winning journalist with a specialist business and finance background, Elysse has been at the ABC for almost a decade. Prior to that Elysse worked at Sky News. After joining the ABC as a rural reporter focusing on trade and resources, her specialist knowledge saw her promoted to ABC News's national finance round. After two years of co-hosting, Elysse is now the host of ABC's The Business.

Jim Macey joined the valuation team at Herron Todd White (Melbourne) in July 2014 as a Director specialising in the valuation of hospitality and leisure properties including accommodation hotels, motels, gaming hotels, pubs, caravan and tourist parks, manufactured housing parks, serviced accommodation facilities, student accommodation complexes and child care centres across Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia.

Chris joined QAL in 2014. As CEO, Chris is responsible for setting strategies to ensure the ongoing success of the group. He leads an experienced team focused on delivering exceptional airport experiences, to achieve record passenger numbers. He oversees a significant planning and investment program in QAL airports which has most recently seen construction of the Gold Coast Airport hotel and terminal expansion project. Chris has 30 years’ experience in diverse industries including tourism, leisure, retail, finance and property planning and development. He has worked in senior executive roles in Australia and England across the private and public sectors. He is currently on the boards of the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland, and chairs the TEQ Audit and Remuneration Committee. Previous board roles include the Australian Airports Association and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Baden is a National Director of the Valuation & Advisory Services team based in Queensland. He is a registered valuer in Queensland and is an Associate of the Australian Property Institute, as well as a professional member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. With 30 years’ experience in the property industry, Baden has a highly respected reputation in going concern, investment and development valuation. Baden’s experience extends across a broad spectrum of commercial, retail, industrial and residential property, however, for over 15 years has been specialising in the field of major hotels and resorts, pubs, clubs, and a range of ‘going concern’ assets including management rights, marinas and golf courses.

Jeff McAlister leads the Department’s tourism industry development effort which is focussed on ensuring Queensland has the infrastructure, connectivity, and strategic positioning it needs to sustain and grow our tourism industry. Key priorities include facilitating a $14 billion pipeline of investment in accommodation, attractions and related visitor infrastructure; partnering with the private sector to develop new products across the state and to strengthen business capability and resilience; helping Queensland respond to major market and economic shifts; and securing more major events for Queensland. Through COVID-19 Jeff has been instrumental in leading the response effort to support and sustain businesses through the crisis and to help the sector navigate reopening and recovery. Jeff previously worked in the Northern Territory as Director-General for Asian Engagement, Trade and Investment where he helped the private sector to diversify the NT’s export base, attracted investors for major projects, and refocused strategic engagement with overseas partners. Prior to the NT, Jeff worked for the New Zealand Government mostly in international trade and investment roles, lastly as the Head of NZ Inc in Brazil where he facilitated two way investments in agribusiness and gas, and trebled New Zealand exports.