REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, July 27, 2006

TOURISM Australia boss Scott Morrison resigned after a bitter falling-out with Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey.

Since being appointed in November 2004, Mr Morrison orchestrated the controversial ‘Where the Bloody Hell are You?’ campaign to attract more holidaymakers to Australia.

Tourism Australia was roundly criticised for excluding the Gold Coast from its TV advertising.

TA chairman Tim Fischer said a board meeting was due “at which arrangements will be finalised regarding managing director Scott Morrison’s agreement to depart Tourism Australia”.

“May I take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated contribution Scott Morrison has made to TA, in particular with the development and launch of a new international marketing campaign ‘So where the bloody hell are you’?’’ said Mr Fischer.

“I will have more to say after the board meeting.

“It is business as usual for Tourism Australia as we seek to maintain the momentum of the new organisation and to capitalise on the initial success of the new international campaign.”

Mr Morrison succeeded the popular Ken Boundy as TA chief executive, immediately beginning work on the campaign that he had hoped would increase Australia’s 0.6 per cent share of the international travel market.

After hiring Sydney advertising consultants, the ‘Where the bloody hell are you?’ campaign was launched amid much fanfare.

But it was roundly criticised by those within the industry, the latest attack coming from former Tourism Queensland boss Terry Jackman. Ms Bailey was not commenting on the sudden resignation of Mr Morrison from his $350,000-a-year job.