Stephen Gregg leaves Macquarie Leisure to focus on tourism strategies

Stephen Gregg has announced his resignation as Chief Executive of Dreamworld and WhiteWater World to concentrate on expanding a consultancy business.

A veteran of the industry with 35 years experience, including eight years as Chief Executive of Tourism Queensland, Gregg will finish his full-time role with the two theme parks in mid-December. However, Macquarie Leisure Trust Group which also owns d'Albora Marinas, AMF Bowling, Main Event and Goodlife Health Clubs, will retain his services for special projects.

After four and a half years devoted to the expansion of the two theme parks, Gregg believes it is time to return to his roots; working collaboratively with industry players to help set the strategic direction for the hospitality and tourism industry.

"The last four and a half years have been the hallmark of my tourism career, the highlights of which have been leveraging strategic brand alliances with non industry icons such as The Wiggles and Mick Doohan to bring new demographic markets to the business", explained Gregg, who also added that opening an $60 million water park in December 2006 was the ultimate operational milestone.

He continued "WhiteWater World was two years in the planning and has operated profitably and successfully from day one, despite mounting pressures from a drought and the current economic crisis. That's something I'm extremely proud of.

"I want to draw on that operational knowledge and bring that practical experience into the influential boardrooms now charting the future of our industry. We are entering one of the most challenging times in the evolution of the tourism industry and we have some big questions to tackle in order to retain our competitive edge."

In addition to establishing his consultancy business, Gregg will continue his role as Chairman for Queensland Tourism Industry Council and for the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre.

On 1st January next year, he will also join the board of National Park Pty Ltd., the holding company for one of the founding players in the tourism industry, the O'Reilly family business.

Gregg added "for three generations, the O'Reilly family has pioneered sustainable eco tourism without foregoing the refined touches that the traveller often demands.

"Their sustainable practices can be held up as a template for other operators as the industry looks to reinvent itself. I am looking forward to helping the family with future growth strategies and ensuring that their latest business instalment, the Lost World Spa - effectively a village in the middle of a rainforest - achieves full potential."

3rd January 2008 - DREAMWORLD ON TRACK WITH DOOHAN’S MOTOCOASTER