Travel Alberta Announces Acting CEO

CALGARY, AB, June 11, 2020 /CNW/ - Travel Alberta Board Chair Linda Southern-Heathcott today announced that Mr. Chris Heseltine has been appointed as acting CEO, effective immediately.

Chris joined Travel Alberta in March 2020 as Vice President, Economic Development and Community Engagement. He has over 25 years of international business development experience within the public and private sectors, including more than 20 years within the Government of Alberta, most recently as Assistant Deputy Minister for Tourism.

"We are pleased to have Chris step in as acting CEO to support the Travel Alberta team and our industry during this critical time. Tourism was one of the most immediately and hardest hit sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic, and tourism businesses are facing their biggest challenge yet. Chris' expertise will ensure a seamless transition as the Travel Alberta team delivers on the Alberta (re)Bound Strategy to restart the province's tourism industry and rebuild Alberta's visitor economy to 2019 levels by 2023," said Southern-Heathcott.

Under Chris' leadership the Tourism Division introduced important and impactful new programs that drove the growth and diversification of Alberta's tourism sector. These include the Tourism Growth and Innovation Program, Visitor Services Innovation Fund and the Tourism Entrepreneur Program. Working in partnership with Travel Alberta, Chris and his senior leadership team also led the development of the Alberta 10-Year Tourism Strategy, which will be reviewed and refreshed to ensure it is relevant and impactful in a post pandemic era.    

Outgoing CEO Royce Chwin's last day with Travel Alberta is June 12, 2020.

"On behalf of the Board and the Travel Alberta team, I also wish to thank Royce for his leadership and dedication to Travel Alberta over the past nine and half years. We wish him every success as he takes on a new senior leadership role in British Columbia," said Southern-Heathcott.

The Travel Alberta Board is initiating a recruitment process for the new CEO, with details to follow in the near future.

About Travel Alberta

Travel Alberta is Alberta's destination development and promotion organization, established as a Crown corporation on April 1, 2009. We promote Alberta as a desirable place to travel, work, live, play, invest and learn. Working with businesses throughout the province, we capitalize on Alberta's breathtaking landscapes and world-class hospitality to develop memorable experiences for visitors to enjoy, in all regions, in all seasons. Our work directly and indirectly benefits our province, driving visitation and revenue, diversifying the economy, providing jobs, encouraging economic investment and enhancing quality of life for Albertans and their communities.

We operate under the authority of the Travel Alberta Act within the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism.

To learn more about Travel Alberta's strategy and programs visit industry.travelalberta.com.

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SOURCE Travel Alberta