Well-known media and football personality David Koch has been appointed the next Chair of the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC).
A passionate South Australian, Koch is a leading advocate for small business and a high-profile finance commentator. He is the Executive Chairman of Pinstripe Media and has been Chair of the Port Adelaide Football Club since 2012.
Koch was host of the Sunrise program on the Seven Network for more than 20 years.
As Chair, Koch will work with the SATC Board to set the strategic agenda for the Commission, which is an independent statutory authority administered under the South Australian Tourism Commission Act 1993. The appointment is for a period of three years and is effective from 2 July 2024.
Koch said South Australia had many advantages that made it the ideal destination for holidaymakers.
“We do the best food and wine in the nation, and we have some of the nation’s most spectacular regions,” he said.
“We also retain a reputation for delivering first-class major events and festivals. More recently, the perceptions of Adelaide and South Australia have shifted significantly on the east coast – and we have an opportunity to capitalise on this momentum to grow our tourism sector even further.”
Koch said he has a passion for small business and intended to help those in tourism grow their business through innovation.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to Chair the South Australian Tourism Commission and I look forward to working with the Board and the SATC team to market our great state, grow our tourism sector, and support the many businesses that rely upon its success,” he said.
“Tourism is a huge economic generator and employer for any state which ultimately flows through to providing increased resources for other community services.”
South Australian Tourism Commission CEO Emma Terry said it was an exciting time for tourism in SA and that the SATC had been “working closely with industry to build momentum and position South Australia as a destination of choice”.
“On behalf of the SATC, we look forward to working with Mr Koch to market South Australia to the world and continuing to grow tourisms contribution to the state.”
Koch replaces Andrew Bullock, who had served as Chair of SATC since 2019.
South Australia’s visitor economy has experienced a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with latest data from Tourism Research Australia demonstrating a spend of $10.1 billion in the December 2023 quarter, up 20 per cent from the December 2019 quarter of $8 billion.
The state has also recently experienced an unprecedented events season, which has included the Santos Tour Down Under, Fringe and Adelaide Festivals, WOMADelaide, Gather Round, LIV Golf, as well as Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel.
Later this year, Emirates will resume direct flights to Adelaide with the SATC also targeting further direct flights including from key Asian markets.
