Tourism Fiji is saying “Bula” to Brent Hill, who has been appointed as its new CEO, with the task of leading the destination into a tourism “re-entry beyond its traditional markets”.
Tourism Fiji has announced the appointment of experienced tourism marketing senior executive Brent Hill as Chief Executive Officer.
Hill, who most recently was the Executive Director of Marketing for the South Australian Tourism Commission, brings over 16 years of experience in tourism and digital marketing, advertising, branding, communications, campaign and executive strategy to Fiji’s National Tourism Office. He replaces former CEO Matt Stoeckel, whose tenure ended in December 2020.
Commenting on Hill’s appointment, Tourism Fiji Chairman Mr Andre Viljoen said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Brent’s calibre to this critically important role not just for Fijian tourism, but for the Fijian economy.”
“When border restrictions ease and travel resumes, Fiji will need dynamism and creativity in marketing itself as an attractive, aspirational and safe destination,” Mr Viljoen added.
“Brent is highly regarded in the industry given his many accomplishments, and we will need his wide range of existing relationships and management skills with key global trade partners to market our destination and his excellent communications skills to rally our industry and stakeholders to a common purpose. His immediate focus will be to work with the Board and Fiji’s extremely competent health authorities to restore tourism activity.”
Fijian Minister for Tourism, the Honourable Faiyaz Koya, also welcomed Brent Hill’s appointment as Tourism Fiji’s CEO, stating: “Restoring tourism activity will not only restore jobs for hundreds of thousands of Fijians, it will also significantly contribute to the revival of the economy through the industry’s multiplier effect.
“With Mr Hill at the helm of Tourism Fiji, we are a step closer to strategically positioning Fiji in the global market again.”
In his immediate past role as Executive Director of Marketing for the South Australian Tourism Commission, Hill was credited for growing total tourism expenditure in the region from A$5.3B to A$8.1B in a four year period (a 53% increase).
He also led South Australian tourism’s recovery following the devastating bushfires in the state by developing successful campaigns to re-generate industry business. He was also responsible for an AU$30m annual marketing budget and 55 staff worldwide to market South Australia.
Hill has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing and Accounting from the University of Adelaide, is a Certified Practising Marketer (FAMI) and a Patron of the Australian Marketing Institute. He has multiple awards for marketing campaigns over the years, and between 2018 – 2020, he has ranked in the top 25 of CMO Magazine’s Top 50 Marketers in Australia.
He is a South Australian Marketing Institute patron, a Board Member of the Adelaide Thunderbirds netball organisation, ATDW, Goldilocks smart suits, and Ripple Effect.
The Minister for Tourism, Board and Management of Tourism Fiji thanked the Acting CEO, Robert Thompson, who Tourism Fiji says has been remarkable support to both the industry and Government during this difficult time.