Experience Co cuts Cairns tourism jobs in restructuring

Looking to reduce its operational losses, Experience Co has announced staff cuts in its Cairns businesses.

Advising of the job cuts, Experience Co Chief Executive, John O’Sullivan, who headed the review, said the job losses were related to streamlining the business and not a reaction to the coronavirus outbreak.

O’Sullivan stated "the net reduction in our workforce will be two positions.

“We did inform our staff yesterday up in North Queensland of some changes to the structures of some locations and positions.”

According to the report, some staff have been made redundant and asked to reapply for new positions.

O’Sullivan said that the company had adjusted schedules across its Big Cat Green Island Reef Tours vessels following the sudden drop in Chinese visitors, saying it was “prudently managing capacity”, telling the Cairns Post "we’re not alone on that - I know that Quicksilver and other operators are doing the same.

“It’s part of us preserving the long-term viability of the business.”

O’Sullivan (pictured) joined Experience Co in the middle of last year after over five years as Chief Executive of Tourism Australia.

Founded in 1999, the ASX listed Experience Co is an adventure tourism company that offers adventure experiences including tandem skydiving, hot air ballooning, white water rafting, canyoning, sea kayaking, and tours to the Great Barrier Reef.

A review of its assets late last year saw Experience Co decide to sell four businesses in the region, including Great Barrier Reef Helicopters, Raging Thunder Adventures, Cairns Canyoning and RnR White Water Rafting.