Fiji Airways Chief Appointed New Chair Of Tourism Fiji

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Aug 20, 2014, 08:17 ET

NADI, Fiji, Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways, Stefan Pichler, is the new Chair of Tourism Fiji, the organization that presides over the fortunes of the local industry and markets the country as a holiday destination. Pichler's appointment - for a term of three years - was announced by the Attorney General and Minister for Tourism, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who said it signaled an exciting new era for the tourism industry and the Fijian economy as a whole.

CEO and Managing Director of Fiji Airways, Stefan Pichler (PRNewsFoto/Fiji Airways)

"Stefan Pichler brings an unprecedented level of experience to this role, having held senior positions in the tourism industries of Germany and Australia. Coupled with his stewardship of our national airline, he is ideally placed to lead our industry," the Minister said. "This appointment underlines the importance the Bainimarama Government places on our biggest revenue earner and our determination to continue to grow the local tourism industry by identifying new opportunities."

Aside from holding senior executive positions in several airlines and the current head of Fiji Airways, Pichler is a former CEO of Thomas Cook AG, the world's second largest leisure travel group, with an annual turnover of $US 20-billion. For four years, he chaired the peak German tourism body, Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft (BTW), and has also been a member of the board of Tourism Australia and the global tourism body, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). He also chaired the Tourism Working Group of the World Economic Forum.

Pichler said," I have developed a deep love of Fiji and its people and am fully committed to making our industry the best in the world for a nation of our size. We already have tremendous branding with our slogan "Fiji: Where Happiness Finds You" but there are parts of the world which our marketing effort has yet to reach and where there are great opportunities for expansion. I intend to begin work immediately with the great team around me at Tourism Fiji and all of the stakeholders in our industry to step up our efforts to seize those opportunities."

About Fiji Airways: Founded in 1951, Fiji Airways Group comprises of Fiji Airways, which is the National Airline of Fiji and Fiji Link, its domestic and regional subsidiary. www.fijiairways.com

Contact:
Fiji Airways
Shane Hussein
Manager Public Relations and Communications
Fiji Airways | Nadi, Fiji
[email protected]

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SOURCE Fiji Airways